Australia taps US firm to build yard for 10,000-ton AUKUS nuclear submarines

Australia has selected a joint venture involving U.S. engineering firm Amentum and Laing O’Rourke to help deliver a major new shipyard for its future nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Australian Naval Infrastructure named the partnership as its Capability Partner for the construction yard at Osborne, near Adelaide in South Australia. The site will eventually build Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines under the security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. For Washington, the project represents another major step in turning AUKUS from a strategic agreement into physical industrial capacity. Building Australia’s nuclear yard Amentum and Laing O’Rourke will work inside ANI’s Integrated Delivery Office under a long-term arrangement. Their team will help manage the nuclear-related elements of the program. They will also oversee construction activities and provide safety leadership. The partners will coordinate work packages and support engagement with contractors across the expanding project. A major challenge will involve managing interfaces between nuclear and conventional construction areas. That work matters because the Osborne facility will become Australia’s first dedicated construction site for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. The yard will need specialized infrastructure for submarine assembly, outfitting, testing and commissioning. Amentum brings decades of experience from nuclear submarine programs. The company said its background includes nuclear licensing and work alongside independent regulators. Mark Whitney, president of Amentum Energy & Environment, described the project as a defining opportunity for Australia’s nuclear future. “Amentum has the opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation national endeavor,” Whitney said. He added that the effort could shape Australia’s nuclear capability for decades. Kim Katheklakis, Amentum Australia’s managing director, said the team will provide practical leadership throughout project delivery. Its responsibilities will include governance, logistics, commissioning and digital engineering. Supply-chain quality will also form a major part of the effort. AUKUS moves into construction The Osborne yard represents one of the most ambitious industrial projects within the broader AUKUS submarine effort. Australia plans to operate nuclear-powered submarines for the first time through the partnership. The future SSN-AUKUS fleet will give Australia a nuclear-powered submarine capability without nuclear weapons. That distinction remains central to the country’s submarine strategy. The United States will play a critical role in Australia’s transition toward nuclear-powered naval operations. Australia plans to build SSN-AUKUS submarines expected to displace around 10,000 tons, giving the country a far larger and more capable undersea platform than its current conventionally powered fleet. American industry and government agencies have already supported workforce development and submarine technology efforts under AUKUS. The new Australian shipyard could eventually become another important industrial node supporting allied submarine operations across the Indo-Pacific. Developing that capacity will require far more than constructing buildings. Australia must establish a skilled workforce capable of supporting nuclear submarine construction over several decades. It must also develop specialized supply chains and regulatory expertise. Amentum and Laing O’Rourke will therefore join a project extending beyond conventional shipyard construction. The partners will help establish the systems needed to manage one of Australia’s most technically demanding defense programs. Industrial bet Australia expects the broader AUKUS effort to create thousands of skilled jobs in South Australia. Osborne already serves as a major center for Australian naval construction. The new submarine yard will significantly expand its role. For the United States, a successful Australian submarine industry could strengthen allied capacity in a strategically important region. It could also deepen industrial links among the three AUKUS partners. The project now moves into a phase where engineering, construction and workforce development will carry as much importance as diplomacy. Australia has committed to building a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability. Amentum and Laing O’Rourke now have a role in creating the industrial foundation needed to make that goal possible.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.