SA taskforce established for nuclear-powered submarine program

The South Australian state government has announced the establishment of a dedicated taskforce for the RAN’s Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program.

The South Australia Government Submarine Taskforce will support Defence’s own Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce to deliver an optimal pathway for the submarine program, keeping local industry capability at the forefront.

The new taskforce, chaired by Defence SA, will work closely with state government agencies, local industry and local government representatives to discuss key focus areas including safety, environmental protection, facilities and infrastructure, industrial base capacity and workforce.

A process will also be undertaken to engage members across the public and private sectors with expertise in a range of necessary fields.

This news follows the September 2021 announcement of the intent to construct at least eight new nuclear-powered submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, as part of the enhanced AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.