The Western Australian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Huntington Ingalls Industries, builder of the US Virginia-class submarine.
US Virginia-class submarines will begin rotational deployment at HMAS Stirling at Garden Island from 2027 - ahead of the Royal Australian Navy’s acquisition of nuclear submarines in the 2030s as part of the AUKUS partnership.
The MoU will greatly assist the State Government in the creation of skilled jobs at the Australian Maritime Complex at Henderson, as well as at HMAS Stirling.
“This is an exciting time for the WA maritime defence industry with the signing of a major MoU with Huntington Ingalls Industries," said Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia.
“Not only will it expand our skill base in the defence workforce, but it signals to the international community that WA is becoming a major player in the submarine industry. It will also build on the relationship between WA and the much larger defence industry in the US ready to assist with the AUKUS partnership.”
In March, the Australian Government announced an $8 billion expansion of HMAS Stirling in the next decade creating around 3,000 direct jobs, an investment that will enable WA to complete more complex repairs on visiting military vessels in the future.
The dual focused MoU targets the development of both industry and workforce development, ensuring businesses can deliver in the immediate and long terms.
This includes positioning WA as a hub for defence industry innovation and enterprise, as well as establishing the State as an ideal location for defence training and education.