Australia expands western shipbuilding precinct and sidelines Luerssen
An aerial view of the existing Austal shipyard in the northern part of the Henderson defence precinct in Perth. (Photo: ADF)
Australia’s investment in naval infrastructure will aim to support its expanding fleet and will focus on the Henderson naval shipbuilding precinct, but challenges remain as Luerssen exits the market due to delays in the Arafura-class project.
As Australia prepares to induct nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) and expand its surface combatant fleet, the government is cueing up infrastructure improvements to permit the country’s naval build-up.
Canberra announced last month that it would be pouring billions of dollars into expanding the Henderson naval shipbuilding precinct in Perth, Western Australia (WA). The site will handle construction of eight general-purpose frigates, 18 medium and eight heavy landing craft and six large optionally crewed surface vessels, as well as depot-level SSN maintenance, for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The government has said it would spend A$127 million (US$84 million) over the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![German Navy tests BlueWhale autonomous underwater vehicle]()
German Navy tests BlueWhale autonomous underwater vehicle
The autonomous underwater vehicle was tested in the tough environment of the Baltic Sea.
-
![Singapore decommissions last two Challenger-class submarines]()
Singapore decommissions last two Challenger-class submarines
RSS Conqueror and RSS Chieftain were retired on 25 November, marking the end of the first era of Singaporean submarines.
-
![Tusk calls for maritime policing in Black Sea to meet “threat posed by Russia”]()
Tusk calls for maritime policing in Black Sea to meet “threat posed by Russia”
The Polish prime minister made the call ahead of a meeting of Baltic and Nordic ministers to discuss security and geopolitics in the region.
