Q&A · 5:13:37-5:14:19

Why Australian submarine orders need not create another British yard

Where a submarine is assembled matters when judging whether export orders can sustain an additional domestic yard.

Question

Could Australian submarine orders support a second British construction yard?

Short answer

The boats are expected to be built in Australia, with British component work concentrated at Barrow, so the orders do not automatically support another UK hull-building yard.

Notes

Australian submarine orders are raised as a possible way to support another British yard. The expected division of work has Australia building the boats and Britain supplying components. Reactor-related work at Barrow is the British contribution identified in this exchange. The commercial value of an export relationship therefore does not automatically translate into demand for another complete-hull construction yard in Britain.