Surging
               forward
into history

The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program is the most significant industrial and technical endeavour in Australia's history. The program will deliver a major boost to Australian industry, jobs, infrastructure and our defence capability to keep Australians safe.

3 Nations

Working together to better contribute to a sovereign and resilient Indo-Pacific.

20,000 jobs

Highly skilled jobs for Australians for decades to come.

$53-63 billion

Total planned investment over the decade from 2024-25 to 2033-34.

8 submarines

By the early 2040s, Australia will own and operate a fleet of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines.

2027

UK and US nuclear-powered submarines will begin a rotational presence in Australia known as ‘Submarine Rotational Force-West’ (SRF-West).

AUKUS

Ensuring we have capabilities that contribute to a strategy of denial, enhancing Australia’s capacity to deter coercion and increase the ADF’s capacity for impactful projection.

Explore our stories

United States Navy Virginia class fast-attack submarine, USS Vermont (SSN 792), departs HMAS Stirling after completing a recent Submarine Maintenance Period in Western Australia.
22 Dec 2025

Submarine Discovery Centre to open in Rockingham

Rockingham will host a community hub for locals to explore Australia’s nuclear-submarine future and learn about AUKUS investment in Western Australia.

Explore a nuclear-powered submarine

Deep dive with a nuclear-powered submarine and see what gives them superior stealth, endurance, and why they are vital for modern naval defence and deterrence.

Let's dive deep

Let's take a tour with a nuclear submarine. Click through to explore.

Pathway to Australia's nuclear-powered submarine capability

Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program represents the most significant industrial and technical endeavour in Australian history.

Embeds and industrial workforce
Virginia Class
Increasing Port
visits (From 2023)
SRF-West
(As early as 2027)
Astute Class
Australia Sovereign
Ready (Early 2030s)
Australian Virginia
Class Submarines
Virginia Class
Australian Shipyard
Design and Construction
(From 2023)
Construction
of SSN-AUKUS
(During the 2020s)
Planned Delivery of
UK's First SSN-AUKUS
(Late 2030s)
Planned Delivery of
Australia's First SSN-AUKUS
(In early 2040s)
SSN-AUKUS
Collins Class Capability
Collins Class Capability
2023
2033
2043
2053