Make Submarines

The Make Submarines initiative is a bold and strategic effort to strengthen submarine manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the delivery of advanced naval vessels to meet national defence priorities and international commitments—particularly under the AUKUS security pact. This initiative addresses critical challenges, including workforce development, industrial capacity, and technological innovation, helping to ensure a robust and resilient submarine production sector.

In collaboration with the AUKUS Forum, Make Submarines is working to align industry, academia, and government stakeholders across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to accelerate submarine production, drive workforce development, and enhance industrial cooperation. The AUKUS Forum, as a leading not-for-profit organisation, plays a vital role in facilitating engagement between defence industries and policymakers, ensuring that industry voices are heard and that businesses of all sizes can participate in AUKUS-related opportunities.

Launched as a collaborative endeavour, Make Submarines is dedicated to revitalising and expanding the submarine industrial base. At its core, the initiative is designed to attract and train the next generation of highly skilled workers, equipping them with the expertise needed to build the most advanced submarines in history. The AUKUS Forum supports this vision by fostering collaboration between unions, industry leaders, and research institutions to ensure a smooth and coordinated approach to workforce development and industrial expansion.

To meet the increasing demand for submarines, Make Submarines is driving industrial expansion with the support of the AUKUS Forum. This initiative is critical in ensuring that submarine production keeps pace with national security needs, including commitments under AUKUS. However, challenges remain. As of late 2024, U.S. submarine production was averaging 1.1 to 1.2 vessels per year, falling short of the 2.33 submarines per year required by 2028 to fulfill both domestic and AUKUS-related obligations.

In response to these challenges, major investments are being made to enhance production capabilities. Australia has committed A$4.6 billion to expand the Rolls-Royce submarine reactor manufacturing plant in Derby, UK, as part of the SSN-AUKUS program. This expansion will significantly increase capacity and create additional jobs, supporting the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines for both the UK and Australia.

The AUKUS Forum continues to play a key role in advocating for policies that support industrial growth and ensuring that businesses across all three nations can integrate into the AUKUS supply chain.

Make Submarines is more than an initiative—it is a commitment to the future of defence, innovation, and global security. With the AUKUS Forum’s industry leadership, the ability to share skills, technology, and resources across three nations will be a game-changer. This collaboration will ensure that AUKUS delivers on its promise of enhanced security, industrial cooperation, and technological superiority—paving the way for a stronger, more integrated defence industry across the AUKUS member nations.

See the AUKUS Passport