Canberra has partnered with Leidos Australia’s Gibbs & Cox to develop the preliminary design for a contingency floating dry dock that will support Australia’s future Virginia-class submarines under the trilateral AUKUS agreement. The facility, to be built in Western Australia, will play a key role in preparing for the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines in the 2030s by providing rapid repair and maintenance capabilities during emergencies or unplanned operational requirements. It will also serve as an interim sustainment solution before dedicated depot-level maintenance facilities become fully operational. Designed to support all AUKUS member nations, the dry dock will meet Australia’s domestic regulations as well as international nuclear safety obligations. The project complements ongoing upgrades at HMAS Stirling and the Henderson Defence Precinct, reinforcing Australia’s long-term naval shipbuilding and submarine support infrastructure. Meanwhile, Bisalloy has achieved another AUKUS milestone by receiving its first purchase order from General Dynamics Electric Boat to deliver HY80 submarine-grade steel for US Navy Virginia-class submarines—the first Australian-made steel to be incorporated into the program.
