Overview
- Canberra approved an A$310 million purchase of long‑lead reactor components from Rolls‑Royce for the first two SSN‑AUKUS boats to be built at Osborne in South Australia, with the UK to supply complete welded propulsion units.
- The order complements Australia’s previously committed A$2.4 billion over ten years to expand Rolls‑Royce Submarines’ capacity and follows a A$3.9 billion down payment to expand the Osborne shipyard for steel cut by decade’s end.
- Under the AUKUS plan, Australia intends to receive at least three US Virginia‑class submarines as an interim capability and targets the first Australian‑built SSN‑AUKUS in the early 2040s, with about five planned for the fleet.
- Ministers in London also advanced cooperation on CEA radar technology, arming the Ghost Bat drone for NATO‑compatible missiles, laser systems, and hosting UK missile testing in Australia to support weapons for Ukraine.
- Royal Navy Astute‑class HMS Anson arrived at HMAS Stirling for the first UK submarine maintenance in Australia, a skills‑building milestone tied to projected job creation of roughly 20,000 in Australia and 7,000 in the UK.