On 20 December 2024, the Australian Government announced the release of the 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan (the Plan), which sets out the national program of activities required to deliver maritime capability to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as well as the uplift of the maritime industrial base that underpins National Defence.
The Plan details Defence’s current and future capability projects, through a planned investment of $123 – $159 billion in maritime capability. Through a 30-year forecast, the Plan signals a long-term demand for shipbuilding and sustainment activities including:
- conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines
- enhanced lethality surface combatants
- minor war vessels and Army landing craft.
The Australian Government’s investment in continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment (CNSS) establishes a strong foundation for evolving the maritime industrial base. The uplift of the industrial base is a national endeavour that will bolster Australia’s ability to build, sustain and operate maritime capability.
An enhanced CNSS Enterprise governance framework supports the coordinated industrial uplift, through strong collaboration across all levels of government, industry, academia, and trade unions.
The Australian Government’s commitment in CNSS will require significant workforce growth to support around 8,500 jobs in naval shipbuilding and sustainment by 2030, plus 20,000 jobs over the next 30 years in support of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program.
The release of the Plan signifies enhanced collaboration and communication between Defence and enterprise partners to ensure the ADF succeeds in its mission to defend Australia and its national interests.