ANI has appointed a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke Construction Australia Pty Ltd and Amentum Australia Pty Ltd as Capability Partner in the development and delivery of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne, South Australia.
The appointment follows the Australian Government’s announcement of a further $4.6 billion equity investment in ANI to support continued delivery of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard, bringing the Government’s total equity contribution in ANI to $8.5 billion for the project.
ANI is leading delivery of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard and the supporting infrastructure needed to enable future construction of SSN-AUKUS submarines at Osborne. The project is a key element of the AUKUS Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway announced by the Commonwealth Government in March 2023, and is one of the largest and most complex infrastructure programs ever undertaken in Australia.
The appointment marks a significant step in scaling ANI’s delivery capability as the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard prepares for major construction, bringing additional specialist expertise, systems and delivery capacity into ANI’s team.
The Laing O’Rourke and Amentum joint venture will work alongside ANI through the Integrated Delivery Office in the Adelaide CBD, with key program delivery roles embedded within ANI’s existing 200-strong workforce. Selected following a rigorous international process, the joint venture brings experience in complex infrastructure delivery, including nuclear-licensed facilities in the United Kingdom.
“The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard is one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in Australia’s history and will be central to enabling Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability,” said ANI’s Managing Director, Andrew Seaton.
“ANI is leading delivery of this nationally important project and building the capability needed to deliver infrastructure of exceptional scale, complexity and national significance. As the project moves towards major construction, this appointment brings additional specialist expertise and delivery capacity around our team.”
“Laing O’Rourke and Amentum bring proven experience in complex infrastructure delivery, international nuclear infrastructure expertise and program delivery capability. Working alongside ANI, they will help us prepare for and deliver the next phase of major construction activity, while continuing to build sovereign capability here in South Australia.”
Laing O’Rourke Amentum joint venture said the partnership was proud to support ANI in delivering a nationally significant program.
Laing O’Rourke’s Managing Director – Australia, Mark Dimmock, said “This contract represents a defining moment for Australia’s defence industry. Being selected as Capability Partner affirms the trust placed in our people, our systems, and our long-standing commitment to Defence infrastructure and South Australia. Drawing on our local infrastructure experience and international nuclear capability, we are proud to stand alongside our partner Amentum and our client ANI to deliver an asset that will strengthen Australia’s security for generations.”
Amentum’s President of Energy and Environment, Mark Whitney, said “Amentum has the opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation national endeavour that will shape Australia’s sovereign nuclear capability for decades. We bring more than 60 years of global expertise in nuclear submarine programs, significant nuclear licensee experience, independent regulator exposure and a clear pathway for growing enduring Australian nuclear capability.”
Amentum Australia’s Managing Director, Kim Katheklakis, said “Amentum is proud to partner with Laing O’Rourke on this program of national significance. Together, we will support ANI with hands-on leadership across key areas of delivery, including governance, assurance, logistics, commissioning, digital engineering, supply chain quality, and integrating construction expertise into the design phase.”
This announcement is the latest milestone for ANI, following the recent opening of Eurimbla Way, a new grade-separated road and critical piece of enabling infrastructure for the current shipyard and future Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard.
Construction is also well underway on the Production Demonstration Facilities within the future Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard, which will help test and validate production processes and procedures ahead of future submarine construction activity at Osborne.
By the end of 2027, ANI will also have delivered the $502 million Skills and Training Academy Campus at Osborne, which will support workforce training for the AUKUS submarine and shipbuilding workforce.