ASC SELECTED AS SOVEREIGN SUBMARINE PARTNER
ASC TO SUSTAIN & BUILD NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES
Australia’s submarine company, ASC, has been selected as the Australian Government’s Sovereign Submarine Partner to sustain and jointly build conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines in Australia.
ASC will be the prime contractor for the sustainment in Western Australia of visiting US and UK submarines; Australia’s own sovereign Virginia Class submarines; and the new SSN-AUKUS submarines.
ASC will form a joint venture with BAE Systems to build Australia’s new SSN-AUKUS conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines at Osborne in South Australia.
SUSTAINING NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES
ASC has been selected as Australia’s Sovereign Submarine Partner for the sustainment of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines.
This decision recognises ASC’s long history and expertise in the sustainment of the Collins Class fleet; its established, highly skilled workforce; and its extensive Australian and international supply chain.
US and UK conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarine sustainment. Prior to the acquisition of Australia’s own sovereign Virginia Class submarines in the early 2030s, ASC will provide sustainment for visiting US Virginia Class submarines, and UK submarines at Garden Island, Western Australia. This work will commence with a rotational presence of US and UK conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines. In the interim, ASC personnel will undergo Virginia sustainment training, including on-the-job training deployments to the Pearl Harbor shipyard in Hawaii prior to the end of 2024.
Australian Virginia Class sustainment. In the early 2030s, Australia will acquire US-built Virginia Class submarines. ASC will integrate Virginia Class sustainment with its existing Collins Class submarine sustainment program to deliver consistent submarine availability to the Royal Australian Navy.
Australian SSN-AUKUS sustainment. In the early 2040s, the first SSN-AUKUS conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines will be delivered. ASC will be responsible for sustaining these submarines, including their short-term, medium-term and deep-cycle maintenance.
BUILDING THE NEW SSN-AUKUS NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES
ASC has been selected as a Sovereign Submarine Partner to jointly build Australia’s new SSN-AUKUS conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines.
ASC and BAE Systems will form an incorporated joint venture to construct the submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. Once enacted, the joint venture will be accountable for the delivery of the SSN-AUKUS submarines, and the associated safety, security and regulatory compliance.
The collaboration between ASC and BAE Systems will be integral to the success of the nuclear-powered submarine program, and will ensure that Australia establishes a strong sovereign submarine building capability for the future. ASC looks forward to working with BAE Systems to deliver this history-making program.
Work on the first SSN-AUKUS submarine is scheduled to get underway before the end of this decade, with delivery to the Royal Australian Navy from the early 2040s.
ASC is well placed to undertake this work. As the builder, sustainer and life-of-type-extension partner for the Collins Class submarine fleet, ASC has unrivalled expertise in submarine construction, combat systems integration, testing, commissioning and certification. ASC has a proven track record of establishing a ‘green field’ submarine construction capability, with a skilled workforce, and a comprehensive Australian and international supply chain.
careers at asc - get involved in australia's biggest ever technology project
The nuclear-powered submarine program will be the greatest industrial undertaking Australia has ever embarked upon, both in scale and technical complexity. It’s estimated that the program, as a whole, will generate around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The program represents an incredible opportunity to build a uniquely fulfilling career, working on some of the most advanced defence technology in the world. Thousands of jobs will be created at ASC over the coming decades as the nuclear-powered submarine program evolves.
To ensure you’re among the first to know about new career opportunities, register your interest and you’ll receive regular updates via email about opportunities as they become available.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a job right now, you can view our current opportunities here, or set up a job alert for a specific role on our careers portal.
You can also learn more about our existing Early Career Programs for apprentices, undergraduate engineers, graduate engineers and corporate graduates via the buttons below.
Discover a deeper purpose working at ASC. A career at ASC offers interesting and diverse work; provides opportunities for professional development and personal growth; and recognises the need for flexibility and work/life balance. It’s why working at ASC is like no other job. It’s a deeper purpose that we can all be proud of.
BECOME AN ASC SUPPLIER - JOIN AUSTRALIA'S NUCLEAR-powered SUBMARINE SUPPLY CHAIN
The supply chain that will support Australia’s nuclear submarine program will be the largest and most complex of any naval shipbuilding program in Australian history.
As a Sovereign Submarine Partner, ASC will work closely with the Australian Submarine Agency and BAE Systems to develop the supply chain for the program.
ASC will maximise capability development and participation opportunities for Australian industry, both in local and overseas supply chains, with a focus on capability uplift, security, quality and resilience of supply.
Opportunities will emerge over the coming months and years as the nuclear-powered submarine program evolves. To keep your business informed, register your interest and you’ll receive regular emails about program updates and opportunities as they become available.
