AUKUS Research And Briefs 513/24/25 - Documents (pdf, 7.95 Mb)

Written by Claude Haiku 4.5 from the extracted text on 27 Feb 2026. It can miss or misread redacted and scanned pages. Check the source before relying on it.

This 2022 Defence brief outlines Australia's nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) basing strategy under the AUKUS partnership. Australia plans to expand its submarine force from six Collins-class conventionally powered submarines to at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, requiring substantial Defence Estate expansion. The Prime Minister announced on 7 March 2022 that a new east coast naval base would be constructed to support nuclear submarine operations, while Fleet Base West remains operational. Three locations were shortlisted for feasibility assessment: Brisbane, Newcastle, and Port Kembla. The brief notes over $10 billion in early cost estimates for facility and infrastructure transition. The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force was conducting intensive joint work with the United States and United Kingdom on nuclear stewardship requirements, including installations, infrastructure, workforce, and force structure. A feasibility study completion was planned for Q3 2023, with engagement occurring with Queensland and NSW governments and planned