The Australian federal government has announced a significant investment of $12 billion to upgrade the Henderson naval shipyard in Western Australia, confirming its future capability to dock and maintain nuclear-powered submarines for the United States. This strategic development is positioned to bolster regional defense infrastructure as part of the broader AUKUS security agreement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles revealed the $12 billion commitment on Sunday, detailing plans for a major redevelopment of the shipyard, located south of Perth. The Henderson precinct is estimated to incur a total cost of $25 billion over a decade. Beyond serving the United States Navy, the upgraded facility will be crucial for the docking and maintenance of Australia’s own forthcoming fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, in addition to supporting other naval shipbuilding initiatives.
During the announcement, Prime Minister Albanese characterized the facility as “an Australian facility.” He also addressed suggestions that the timing of the announcement might be linked to potential US demands for increased Australian defence spending, ahead of a possible meeting with former US President Donald Trump. Albanese affirmed Australia’s commitment to defence, stating the nation “has always pulled our weight.”
Defence Minister Marles further clarified the dual nature of the Henderson shipyard. While underscoring its role as “very much an Australian sovereign capability,” he also acknowledged its function as an “Aukus facility” specifically for submarine maintenance, reflecting the collaborative framework of the trilateral security pact.
This development occurs within the context of the AUKUS agreement, valued at an estimated $368 billion. Through this pact, Australia plans to acquire three to five Virginia-class submarines from the United States, with deliveries projected to commence in 2032. Separately, US and UK-owned nuclear submarines are scheduled to begin a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling, another Western Australian naval base, starting in 2027.
The announcement regarding Henderson’s upgrade also coincides with an ongoing review of the AUKUS deal by the Pentagon. It follows previous public discussions, including from the Trump administration, advocating for Australia to increase its overall defence spending to 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product.
Source: www.theguardian.com