Henderson named Australia's defence ground zero for AUKUS subs
Defence Minister Richard Marles declared WA's Henderson shipyard Australia's strategic centre ahead of AUKUS submarine deployments next year.
Speaking at Perth's Land Forces conference, Marles called Henderson 'geostrategic ground zero' for Australia's future military strength. The new Henderson Defence Precinct will maintain nuclear submarines and build Australia's new frigates in a plan to create continuous naval shipbuilding for the first time.
The Albanese government is backing Japan's Mogami-class frigate design, with Australia set to build eight vessels after Japan constructs the first three. Marles said the defence sector would drive 'the biggest economic diversification of the Western Australian economy in decades'.
Meeting the 2031 deadline means Australia will finish the fourth frigate, the first built here.
- Richard Marles
- Defence Minister
- eight Mogami-class vessels
- Total frigates planned
- United States and United Kingdom
- AUKUS partners
Why it mattersAustralia is pivoting its military planning toward the Indian Ocean and China's rise, making WA's port infrastructure and shipbuilding capacity central to national defence strategy.
AustraliaWestern Australia will become the hub for Australia's most critical military projects, reshaping the state's economy and workforce for decades and anchoring Australia's naval capability in the region.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
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