The Australian Government has advanced its nuclear-powered submarine program by announcing the concept design partners for South Australia’s upcoming Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard (NPSCY).
Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) and an AECOM and Aurecon Joint Venture have been selected as the design partners for the NPSCY, the government revealed in a media release.
KBR, an expert in design and project management for defence infrastructure facilities nationwide, will be responsible for designing the section of the NPSCY dedicated to steel processing and fabrication facilities.
Meanwhile, the AECOM and Aurecon Joint Venture will be tasked with delivering the concept design for the remainder of the NPSCY site, which will support outfitting, consolidation, and commissioning of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“This project will ensure Australia will be at the forefront of manufacturing the most advanced submarines in the world,” commented Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
The design teams will unite nuclear infrastructure specialists and experienced personnel from previous shipyard infrastructure projects at Osborne, Henderson, and in AUKUS partner nations.
“This is yet another major milestone reflecting the Albanese Government’s commitment to construct conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia,” emphasised Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
The announcement of the design partners follows the March revelation of Australia’s sovereign submarine build and sustainment partners, signalling steady progress towards building SSN-AUKUS submarines in Adelaide.
The NPSCY development, spanning over 75 hectares, is slated to adhere to the highest security and safety standards, with preliminary enabling works already underway since December 2023.
“The submarine construction yard at Osborne will provide highly skilled jobs for decades to come, providing financial security for thousands of hardworking Australians,” remarked Minister Pat Conroy.
Moreover, in partnership with the South Australian Government, the Australian Government is spearheading the construction of the new Skills and Training Academy at Osborne to cultivate an elite naval shipbuilding workforce.
According to the government, this is another important milestone to ensure the construction of Australia’s first SSN-AUKUS will start by the end of this decade.
The NPSCY project is projected to create up to 4,000 direct jobs at its construction peak, with an additional 4,000-5,500 direct jobs expected for building Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia.
“Not only will this ambitious project create thousands of local jobs, it will deliver the most critical defence capability acquisition in our nation’s history,” affirmed Marles.
“At its peak, up to 4,000 workers will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne while a further 4,000-5,500 direct jobs are expected to build the nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia,” the deputy minister concluded.
