AUKUS has announced a $220.1 million payment to the United Kingdom to procure long-term materials for Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
The investment is part of strategic cooperation between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States under the trilateral security pact.
The funds will fund the manufacture of critical components for the nuclear propulsion systems that will equip Australia’s first two SSN-AUKUS submarines. The ships will be built in Osborne in the south of the country, while the UK will be responsible for supplying the complete, welded nuclear propulsion units. Production is already underway at Rolls-Royce Submarines in Derby and is supported by an earlier Australian commitment of $3.26 billion over ten years to expand the company’s industrial capabilities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles emphasized that early investments in nuclear propulsion systems are crucial in order to meet the AUKUS program schedule. According to him, cooperation between the three countries also strengthens the defense industry and contributes to the creation of skilled jobs in Australia in the coming decades.
During the Australia-UK Defense Industry Dialogue in London, Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said an early start to production of essential components was critical to maintaining the pace of the project. The announcement follows the Australian Government’s confirmation of an additional investment of $2.77 billion for the new submarine dockyard at Osborne, where work is expected to begin before the end of the decade. At the peak of activity, at least 4,000 workers are expected in the shipyard infrastructure, as well as around 5,500 direct jobs in submarine construction in South Australia.
Those: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @DefenceAust | This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editorial team
HMS Anson has arrived at HMAS Stirling, marking the first-ever UK nuclear powered submarine maintenance conducted in Australia and another major milestone on the AUKUS Optimal Pathway.
Over the coming weeks, 🇦🇺, 🇬🇧 and 🇺🇸 personnel will work together on the Astute class… pic.twitter.com/CCdcJ8Q4hd
— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) February 23, 2026
