BAE’s Crucial Contribution to AUKUS Submarine Development
On Monday, March 13, as part of the AUKUS trilateral agreement involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, it was declared that BAE Systems will take on a pivotal role in assisting Australia to obtain its inaugural nuclear-powered submarines.
The three countries will jointly develop a submarine, derived from the UK’s groundbreaking next-generation design, integrating technology from all parties involved. Australia and the UK will utilize the SSN-AUKUS as their submarines for the future, with construction slated to initiate within this decade.
“The AUKUS partnership will significantly strengthen and deepen the alliance between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. The choice of the UK’s next-generation submarine design marks a pivotal moment in this collaboration and stands as a testament to the expertise, dedication, and ingenuity of all participants in both our Submarines division and the broader UK submarine industry. We employ over 10,000 individuals in our Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, delivering the Astute and Dreadnought submarine projects for the UK’s Royal Navy. We are exceptionally proud to be designated as a central partner in this historic initiative, which will ultimately enable Australia to establish its own sovereign nuclear-powered submarine fleet. As a significant contributor to the Australian maritime landscape, we are eager to collaborate with the Australian government to explore how we could potentially offer supplementary support to this crucial tri-national project through our business operations in Australia,” stated Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems.
BAE Systems has successfully delivered five Astute class submarines to the UK Royal Navy, with the last two vessels currently at advanced stages of assembly at its Barrow-in-Furness shipyard. The first three of four Dreadnought submarines are also under construction at this location, and the Company’s engineers are conducting preliminary design activities for the replacement of the Astute class under a £85 million contract announced in September 2021.
Over £1 billion has been allocated to enhance and expand infrastructure at Barrow in recent years, including £25 million in a cutting-edge training academy. Since 2020, BAE Systems has onboarded more than 1,300 apprentices and graduates into its UK Submarines division, with plans to recruit an additional 1,000 early-career trainees this year as it continues to prioritize investment in skills to support the advancement of the UK’s submarine programs.
