The Australian Government recently published the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, which outlines the plan to uplift Australia’s military and industrial capability under the timeframes of the Optimal Pathway announced in March 2023.
The industry strategy identifies the conditions to develop the sovereign industrial capability needed to deliver, operate and sustain Australia's future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while also ensuring the existing Collins-class submarines are sustained and upgraded until their eventual withdrawal from Royal Australian Navy service.
The strategy will work in conjunction with related Defence strategy and planning documents, including the Defence Industry Development Strategy and the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan.
The strategy has been developed in consultation with stakeholders across Commonwealth and State Governments, the defence industry, unions and academia, and will continue to evolve as Australian industry develops and the nuclear-powered submarine program progresses.
The strategy sets out five critical lines of effort to boost Australian industry uplift including creating demand clarity and signals for industry; boosting investment attractiveness in critical areas; simplifying regulation; growing the workforce; and integrating Australian industry into US and UK supply chains.
The strategy intends to guide the development of an Australian submarine industrial base capable of building and sustaining a persistent, potent and sovereign multi-class submarine capability in support of Australia's national defence.