There has been much discussion surrounding the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom: but most of it has centred around the geopolitics. However, what will it mean on the ground for Australia’s manufacturing?
Mignon D’Souza in an article in Manufacturers’ Monthly identifies the benefits and opportunities.
The magnitude of the AUKUS agreement is vast with a current estimated budget of between $268 – $368 billion over the next 30 years. It will also be one of the most technically advanced projects undertaken.
Prime Minister Albanese said ‘They’ll be built by Australians, commanded by the Australian Navy and sustained by Australians in Australian shipyards’.
In other words, the spill-over benefits for Australian manufacturing and workforce will be significant and include;-
– HMS Sterling Naval Base and the Osborne Shipyards in WA will be upgraded to handle the new submarines
– $6 billion to be invested in Australia’s industrial capability and workforce over the next 4 years – estimated to create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years
– More engineers, scientists, technicians, submarines, administrators and tradespeople will be trained
– The South Australian Construction Yard will be 3 times larger than the yard forecast for the Attack program and employ 4,000 workers in design and build
– Another 4,000 – 5,000 shipyard jobs are expected to be created to build the nuclear powered submarines
– Enhanced trade, technology and skills transfers
– The streaming of bureaucratic barriers impeding the timely delivery of capabilities.
For the full article see here.