Companies welcome certainty over SSN-AUKUS sub construction

Defence contractors BAE Systems and ASC have welcomed a federal government decision to name them as constructors of the SSN-AUKUS nuclear powered submarines to be constructed in Adelaide.

BAE Systems global Chief Executive Charles Woodburn said the company was proud of its role in the delivery of the tri-nation programme to build next generation submarines.

Woodburn said: “Our selection as a partner in Australia, alongside ASC, recognises our role as the UK’s long-term submarine design and build partner and as a key player in Australia’s maritime enterprise and wider defence landscape.”

“This latest step will ensure an integral connection between the UK design and the build strategy development in Australia as we work together to deliver next generation military capability as well as considerable social and economic value to all three nations.”

The Chair of ASC Bruce Carter said: “The decision to select ASC as a Sovereign Submarine Partner assures Australia’s sovereign submarine capability for generations to come.”

“ASC has proven over its 35-year+ history that it has the capability to establish a shipyard, assemble a skilled workforce, develop a robust sovereign supply chain, and build an entirely new class of submarine – the Collins Class, our first-ever Australian-built submarine.

“ASC has the skills, knowledge and experience to replicate that feat within the nuclear-powered submarine program.”

Woodburn said BAE Systems already had 1,000 people working on developing the SSN-AUKUS inn the United Kingdom.

“Drawing on decades of experience in the UK and Australia, we look forward to working with ASC to develop an enduring, sovereign nuclear-powered submarine building capability for Australia.

“We’re already making good progress on the design and development of the next generation submarine in the UK where we have…major infrastructure investment underway.”

The UK Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems almost £4 billion for the next phase of the SSN-AUKUS programme in October.

The funding covers development work through to 2028, enabling BAE Systems to progress the detailed design phase of the programme and procure long-lead items.

In Adelaide a partially built submarine construction yard (pictured) designed for the now cancelled French Attack class vessels, will be the heart of a much larger construction complex for SSN-AUKUS.

The federal government has swapped defence land with the SA government to massively increase the size of the construction site at Osborne Naval Shipyard.

Further reading:
BAE Systems, ASC to construct Australian n-submarines

Picture: