Defence investment in Tasmania builds capability beyond the traditional Hobart naval base

Tasmania's defence industry footprint has traditionally been centred on the naval facilities in Hobart and Garden Island, but is expanding as the AUKUS submarine program and the broader naval shipbuilding expansion create opportunities for Tasmanian businesses with relevant capabilities. BAE Systems, one of the prime contractors on the Hunter Class frigate program and a key player in the submarine program, has a Tasmanian presence that is growing alongside the program's development.

The submarine maintenance enterprise that will eventually operate from eastern Australian ports will require skilled trades and technical workers at scale, and Tasmania's workforce of experienced maritime tradespeople is a resource that the defence industry is working to attract. Programs to identify and develop potential submarine-qualified workers from Tasmania's existing maritime sector are among the workforce development initiatives that are being pursued ahead of the submarine program's operational phase.

Marine technology businesses in Tasmania, including companies that have developed capabilities in underwater vehicles, marine survey systems and ocean monitoring technology through the state's research and commercial maritime sectors, represent a potential supply chain for the submarine program and its associated research and support activities. Connecting these businesses to the program's procurement pipeline is a priority for the Tasmanian government's industry development programs.

The University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) provides research capability in ocean science that, while not directly focused on naval applications, creates expertise and equipment familiarity that has relevance for some defence research programs. IMAS's relationships with international ocean science institutions also provide connections to the global maritime research community that can be valuable for defence science programs with an underwater domain focus.

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