The Australian Government has released its AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, providing greater clarity to industry to grow and enter AUKUS supply chains.
Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy outlines the ambitious plan to uplift Australia’s military and industrial capability, under the timeframes of the Optimal Pathway announced in March 2023. The Industry Strategy identifies the conditions to develop the sovereign industrial capability needed to deliver, operate and sustain our future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while also ensuring the existing Collins class submarines are sustained and upgraded until their eventual withdrawal from service.
The Strategy sets out five critical lines of effort to boost Australian industry uplift:
- Creating demand clarity for industry;
- Boosting investment attractiveness in critical areas;
- Simplifying regulation;
- Growing the skilled workforce; and
- Integrating Australian industry into US and UK supply chains.
“The conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine program will see around 20,000 jobs created across Australia over the next 30 years, with unprecedented opportunities for Australian industry as we develop the sovereign capacity to operate, build and sustain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines here in Australia,” said Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy.
“Australian industry has incredible access to new and unique opportunities beyond our own submarines, now being able to be work with our AUKUS partners and contribute to the sustainment and build of their submarines as we develop a strong, resilient trilateral submarine industrial base.“
