U.S. Gains Access To Australia’s Future Nuclear-Powered Submarine Facility

The United States will be able to use defence facilities in Western Australia that are being developed to support nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Australian government confirmed it will spend A$12 billion ($8 billion) to upgrade the Henderson shipyard near Perth. The 20-year project will turn the site into the central maintenance hub for Australia’s future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. The investment follows an initial A$127 million upgrade made last year to modernise the facility.

Marles explained that while the shipyard will primarily sustain Australia’s submarines, it is being built in the framework of the AUKUS pact, which means US vessels are also expected to access the facilities in the future. He told Australian media that the dry docks being developed would likely be available for American nuclear-powered submarines.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added that before Australia receives Virginia-class submarines from the United States, the Henderson facility will host a rotation of US and UK submarines. He said the arrangement would greatly benefit allies and align with AUKUS commitments.

The AUKUS pact, signed in 2021 by Australia, Britain, and the U.S., will provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines starting next decade. The program, worth hundreds of billions of dollars, is designed to strengthen deterrence against China’s growing ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.

Under the pact, the United States will sell several Virginia-class submarines to Australia, while Britain and Australia will later collaborate to design and build a new AUKUS-class submarine. The Henderson shipyard will also construct new landing craft for the Australian Army and frigates for the Navy, supporting an estimated 10,000 local jobs.

The AUKUS agreement continues to have strong bipartisan support in the U.S., even as it undergoes a review led by a senior Pentagon official and critic of the deal under President Donald Trump’s administration, Elbridge Colby.

In July, Democratic and Republican leaders of a congressional committee on competition with China reaffirmed their backing for AUKUS. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who visited Washington last month, said he discussed the agreement with U.S. officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and noted positive progress.

Australia also strengthened its commitment in July by signing a 50-year treaty with Britain to expand AUKUS cooperation.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News