Nuclear subs need new WA skills

A new defence pact with the US and UK will create opportunities for businesses in training, technology, and subsea industry, Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg says.

The federal government announced the AUKUS defence deal in September 2021, with Australia to have access to special nuclear-propulsion technology for submarines.

While the details were to be finalised, those vessels would replace the Attack-class submarines that were to be assembled in Adelaide under a deal with France’s Naval Group.

Western Australia’s Garden Island is already the home port for most of the ageing Collins-class submarines in Australia’s fleet, with maintenance undertaken nearby in Henderson. 

Speaking at the Business News Destination State lunch today, Mr Gregg said Australia would need a new workforce to support the submarines.

Nuclear stewardship was not something to be underestimated, he said.

“Whenever you start a nuclear reactor you’re simply spending the rest of your life managing that reaction, it’s not something that can be switched off or stopped,” Mr Gregg said.

“It’s managed for many, many, years, probably 35 years in the submarine.

“With that comes a great requirement for safety and regulation.

“We need to recruit and train an entirely new workforce.

“If your business is in training, recruitment, a university, we’re going to need all those skills in Australia.”

Skills would include environmental protection, nuclear safety, emergency response, data security and quality assurance.

The deal is not just about subs, however.

There is also a focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, defence science and undersea capability.

WIth the oil and gas industry WA’s second biggest exporter, the state has a particular advantage in subsea technology.

Mr Gregg said it could easily be transferred into defence.

“As [AUKUS] develops, go out and shape it,” he said.

“I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for this state.”