The shipyard north of Adelaide is a central part of Australia’s preparations for the AUKUS submarine program with the United States and United Kingdom. It will provide facilities for assembly, outfitting, testing and commissioning of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“Amentum has the opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation national endeavor that will shape Australia’s sovereign nuclear capability for decades,” said Mark Whitney, president of Amentum Energy & Environment. “We bring more than 60 years of global expertise in nuclear submarine programs, significant nuclear licensee experience, independent regulator exposure and a clear pathway for growing enduring Australian nuclear capability.”
Amentum and Laing O’Rourke will serve as Capability Partner within ANI’s Integrated Delivery Office. Their responsibilities will include nuclear-related program management, construction management and safety leadership.
The joint venture will also coordinate work packages, support contractor engagement and manage interfaces between nuclear and non-nuclear areas of the yard. The work is intended to support development of the domestic infrastructure Australia needs to build and sustain nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.
“Our team will provide hands-on leadership across key areas of delivery, including governance, assurance, logistics, commissioning, digital engineering, supply chain quality, and integrating construction expertise into the design phase,” said Kim Katheklakis, Amentum Australia managing director. The companies will work closely with ANI throughout development of the Osborne site.
Amentum said the project will strengthen Australia’s defense industrial capacity and create thousands of highly skilled jobs in South Australia. The shipyard will also support development of the country’s sovereign nuclear capability under AUKUS.
The program links Australia’s future submarine industrial base with its security partnership with the United States and United Kingdom. Amentum said the project will strengthen Australia’s long-term national security and its role in Indo-Pacific stability.
