AUKUS: nuclear submarine base to be built at either Newcastle, Port Kembla or Brisbane

Australia’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines will be based in one of three east coast locations with two NSW port towns on the short-list.

Australia’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines will be based on the east coast, with two NSW port towns short-listed as possible locations for the new state-of-the-art $10 billion defence facility.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce the federal government plans to build a new base for the submarines, which will use technical nuclear information provided by either the United States or United Kingdom under the AUKUS agreement.

Australia will have its own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines like this US vessel following a technology sharing deal made under the AUKUS agreement. Picture: Colombian National navy/AFP

In a major speech to the Lowy Institute on Monday, Mr Morrison will confirm Newcastle and Port Kembla in NSW, as well as Brisbane in Queensland have been earmarked as the three locations for the new base “preferred” by the Australian Defence Force.

The coastal towns meet many of the criteria required to achieve Australia’s “strategic objectives,” including being close to primary maritime training and operational areas, deep water, weapons storage and loading facilities.

There is also industrial infrastructure to support maintenance and repair of the high technology submarines, and large population centres from which the government would seek to attract, recruit and train the large uniformed workforce needed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Port of Newcastle, a region that will potentially be home to the new nuclear powered submarine base. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The initial work assessing the suitability of each preferred location is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, with the ADF already authorised to “immediately” engage with the NSW Government to begin negotiations on what Mr Morrison will describe as an “enormous undertaking”.

In his speech the Prime Minister will say the establishment of a new base on the east coast would bring “significant positive long-term economic impacts” in terms of construction, long-term support and developing defence industry capability.

Port Kembla has also been identified as a possible site for the new submarine base. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the creation of the new security partnership called AUKUS last year with the President of the United States Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison will also strongly condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and warn of the global consequences if authoritarian regimes are left unchecked.

“The strategic, political, economic and social implications of this crisis will be deeply felt in Europe, but will inevitably stretch to the Indo-Pacific,” he will say.

“This war of choice by Mr Putin is a reminder that, although Australia’s focus is the Indo-Pacific, events anywhere can affect our security.”

In a clear nod to China’s rising influence in the region, Mr Morrison will argue threats in the Indo-Pacific are coming from “both state and non-state actors”.

“Militarisation is expanding and evolving rapidly,” he will say.

“The challenge from more surreptitious malign activities – espionage, disinformation, cyber-attacks, foreign interference, and economic coercion – is mounting daily.”

Australia’s current fleet of submarines is based in Western Australia, and Mr Morrison will say the new east coast facility would be “additional national capacity”.

“Establishing a second submarine base on our east coast will enhance our strategic deterrent capability, with significant advantages in operational, training, personnel and industrial terms,” he will say.