Australian Naval Infrastructure has selected an Amentum and Laing O’Rourke joint venture as Capability Partner for the delivery of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine construction yard in South Australia.
Under a long-term contract, the joint venture will support the development of the new shipyard at Osborne, north of Adelaide, where Australia plans to construct nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS trilateral agreement with the United States and United Kingdom.
The Capability Partner will provide nuclear-related programme management, construction management and safety leadership as part of Australian Naval Infrastructure’s (ANI) Integrated Delivery Office.
Its responsibilities will include governance, assurance, logistics, commissioning, digital engineering, supply chain quality and integrating construction expertise into the design process.
The partnership will also work with ANI to coordinate individual work packages, support engagement with contractors and manage interfaces between the nuclear and non-nuclear elements of the construction yard.
“Amentum has the opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation national endeavor that will shape Australia’s sovereign nuclear capability for decades,” said Mark Whitney, president of Amentum Energy & Environment.
“We bring more than 60 years of global expertise in nuclear submarine programs, significant nuclear licensee experience, independent regulator exposure and a clear pathway for growing enduring Australian nuclear capability.”
Integrated delivery role
The appointment places the Amentum and Laing O’Rourke team within the management and delivery structure of one of Australia’s most significant planned infrastructure and defence programmes.
Kim Katheklakis, Amentum Australia managing director, said: “Our team will provide hands-on leadership across key areas of delivery, including governance, assurance, logistics, commissioning, digital engineering, supply chain quality, and integrating construction expertise into the design phase.”
The Osborne facility is being developed to provide Australia with the infrastructure required to build and sustain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.
It will include facilities for the assembly, outfitting, testing and commissioning of the future SSN-AUKUS submarine fleet.
The programme forms part of Australia’s wider effort to establish the domestic industrial and technical capabilities required to support nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS.
Development of the shipyard is also expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs in South Australia and require the development of specialist capabilities across engineering, construction, nuclear safety and the domestic supply chain.
Building Australian nuclear capability
Amentum currently employs more than 1,000 people in Australia, providing engineering, programme and project management services across defence and national security, cyber and digital, energy and environment, and critical infrastructure.
The company said it is expanding its Australian workforce and capabilities as the AUKUS programme progresses.
Its intended role extends from supporting the construction of nuclear-licensed facilities and nuclear-powered submarines through to operations, decommissioning, disposal, clean-up and radioactive waste management.
The latest appointment gives Amentum and Laing O’Rourke a central delivery role as ANI develops the infrastructure needed to support Australia’s future sovereign submarine construction capability.
