A foundational element of the AUKUS Pillar 1: Optimal Pathway, the dry dock design will support mission readiness, continuity and resilience, and leverage Leidos’ decades of submarine and maritime engineering expertise.

Overseen by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), the floating dry dock will be a critical component of the country’s nuclear submarine naval infrastructure, enabling system inspection, maintenance and repair out of the water. Its design is complex due to specialized nuclear safety and security requirements.

Under ASA direction, Leidos Gibbs & Cox Australia will lead the joint Australian-US design development. Drawing on Leidos Gibbs & Cox’s extensive design capabilities in the US and Leidos Gibbs & Cox Australia’s system development capabilities, the team will deliver the project’s first phase of a functional design by mid-2027.

Quote attributable to Leidos Australia Chief Executive, Paul Chase: “Australia’s nuclear submarine readiness depends on trusted capability, strong collaboration and the sustainment infrastructure needed to support long-term operations. Leidos’ floating dry dock design will help advance our sovereign capability and reflects our commitment to supporting a critical path for AUKUS success.”