The Australian and Western Australian governments have finalized the site layout for the Henderson Defence Precinct, paving the way for AUKUS submarine sustainment and naval shipbuilding.
In a major milestone for Australia’s naval infrastructure and the AUKUS defense pact, the Australian Federal and Western Australian Governments have officially selected the final site layout for the new Henderson Defence Precinct south of Perth.
Announced jointly by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, the decision establishes the precise footprint for what is set to become one of the Southern Hemisphere’s primary naval shipbuilding and sustainment hubs.
The site selection outlines dedicated locations for future continuous naval shipbuilding, surface fleet maintenance, and critical sustainment infrastructure for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Underpinned by an initial A$12 billion ($8.1 billion) federal commitment announced in late 2025—part of a broader A$25 billion decade-long investment pool—the precinct is projected to create approximately 10,000 direct, high-skilled jobs over the next 20 years.
A Critical Hub for AUKUS and Continuous Shipbuilding
The selected footprint at Henderson will host the construction and maintenance of several vital Australian Defence Force (ADF) surface capabilities. These include the Royal Australian Navy’s future general-purpose frigates—based on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ design—and the Australian Army’s new fleet of landing craft.
Crucially, the precinct will also support contingency docking and depot-level maintenance for nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) operated by Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. This capability directly supports Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West), operating out of nearby HMAS Stirling, ahead of Australia taking delivery of its first Virginia-class SSN in the early 2030s.
With the site now confirmed, the program advances directly into its concept design phase, involving extensive technical planning alongside industry partners, traditional owners, and local stakeholders.
Transitioning Industry at the Australian Marine Complex
The announcement marks a key step forward for local shipbuilders operating within the surrounding Australian Marine Complex (AMC). As detailed in Naval News’ previous analysis on Australian naval shipbuilding at the Henderson Defence Precinct, the location faces a dense schedule of high-priority naval programs.
Strategic Shipbuilder Austal is ramping up production for 18 Landing Craft Medium (LCM) and eight Landing Craft Heavy (LCH), before transitioning to frigate construction in the 2030s. Meanwhile, major industrial players like Civmec and BAE Systems continue to manage critical surface combatant sustainment and minor vessel builds.
By locking in the layout, defense planners aim to streamline infrastructure expansion—including planned floating and graving docks—ensuring heavy industrial operations can scale rapidly without disrupting active maintenance pipelines.
