Australia unveils plans for $7.4 billion nuclear submarines base

Asia-Pacific, News March 8, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled plans for a 10 billion Australian dollars ($7.4 billion) worth project to build a new submarine base on the country’s east coast.

The new submarine base would support the Royal Australian Navy’s planned nuclear submarine fleet as the country would acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact.

Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison said in a statement, “The Government has now determined that to support our decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, establishing a second submarine base on our east coast will enhance our strategic deterrent capability, with significant advantages in operational, training, personnel and industrial terms.”

Morrison also said that “Based on early estimates we have provisioned nationally, more than $10 billion to meet the facilities and infrastructure requirements for the future transition from Collins to the future nuclear-powered submarines over the next 20 years – that includes but is not exclusive to the east coast submarine base.”

According to the Australian prime minister, the 20-year investment is vital for Australia’s strategic capabilities, and it will provide his country with “long-term economic opportunities at both our submarine bases on the east coast and on the west coast.”

“Our investments will also flow into our operations in Western Australia, with significant funding flowing to upgrade facilities there for our future submarines and to support our allies in the United States and United Kingdom,” Morrison added.

*^{Aerial photograph of HMAS Stirling and Fleet Base West at Garden Island, Western Australia. (Image Credit: Royal Australian Navy)}*

The Australian government selected Brisbane, Newcastle, and Port Kembla as three possible locations for the construction of submarines base. According to Morrison, the potential sites met at least three basic criteria, which included access to exercise operating areas, proximity to industrial infrastructure, and significant population centers to support personnel and recruitment.

In September 2021 Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom signed the AUKUS deal to assist Australia in acquiring eight nuclear-powered submarines by 2025. Australia’s Defense Minister Peter Dutton described the agreement as an “important step in Australia’s pursuit of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines”.

The Australian defense minister said that the announcement of Australia’s plan for building a new submarine base will ensure that the country has “the infrastructure and facilities ready to support those submarines when they enter service.”

“Nuclear-powered submarines have superior characteristics of stealth, speed, maneuverability, survivability and endurance when compared to conventional submarines. With the ability to operate from both coasts, this will make our nuclear-powered submarines more responsive and resilient to meet the strategic environment. A new Navy base on the east coast will also have significant advantages for training, personnel and for Australia’s defense industry” Dutton added.

The AUKUS collaboration is also expected to deepen security and integration of defense-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains between the U.S., UK, and Australia. The collaboration also focuses on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities between the three countries.