Overview
- Canberra will spend AU$12 billion over ten years to expand and secure the Henderson shipyard near Perth, with officials estimating total development could reach AU$25 billion.
- Upgrades include highly secure dry docks for nuclear‑submarine maintenance and new facilities for landing craft and, later, Mogami‑class frigate construction.
- The investment underpins Australia’s AUKUS pathway that foresees delivery of three to five U.S. Virginia‑class attack submarines within about 15 years before joint production with the United Kingdom.
- The United States announced a review of AUKUS in June to align with President Donald Trump’s objectives, highlighting ongoing concerns about U.S. shipyard capacity.
- In August, Australia ordered 11 Japanese Mogami‑class frigates from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for about €5.2 billion and plans to build eight of them in Western Australia.