Canberra has partnered with Leidos’ Australian segment Gibbs and Cox to lead the preliminary design of a contingency dry dock that will support its future Virginia-class submarines under the trilateral AUKUS security pact with the UK and the US.
The floating dry dock will be constructed in Western Australia, serving as a core requirement in preparation for the nuclear-powered fleet’s arrival in the 2030s.
It will provide emergency, unscheduled, or short-notice repair and maintenance capabilities ahead of planned depot-level services later in the decade.
Once operational, the infrastructure could be utilized by AUKUS members, while meeting domestic regulatory requirements and international nuclear safety and related obligations.
The project forms part of the government’s broader investment in the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Stirling base and the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, which is being renovated to expand Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding and submarine sustainment capabilities.
“AUKUS is happening right now,” said Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. “The development of infrastructure at Henderson will position Western Australia at the centre of our submarine sustainment enterprise.
“This is another example of AUKUS delivering long-term industrial capability and highly skilled jobs for Australians,” he added.
In a parallel AUKUS milestone, Australian steelmaker Bisalloy received its first purchase order from Virginia fleet developer General Dynamics Electric Boat to supply HY80 submarine-grade steel for US Navy’s own Virginia-class submarines, marking the first use of Australian-made steel in the program.
