Australia Commits Additional AUD 4.6 Billion to Expand Osborne Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced on July 24, 2026 an additional AUD 4.6 billion (USD 3.2 billion) investment to expand infrastructure and workforce training at the Osborne shipyard in South Australia, as part of Australia's implementation of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership with the US and UK. The new facility will expand to roughly ten times the current shipyard's size to build and sustain Australia's future SSN-AUKUS boats. Marles called it "another important step in building the sovereign capability" Australia needs for submarine operations amid intensifying Indo-Pacific competition, including in the South China Sea.