By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - Australia will spend AUD12 billion ($8 billion) to kickstart the development of a "world-class" defense hub to build naval ships and dock nuclear-powered submarines, local media reported on Sunday.
The facility will advance Australia's shipbuilding capabilities and develop "contingency docking capabilities" for nuclear-powered submarines Australia plans to obtain under the AUKUS deal, local broadcaster SBS News reported.
The move comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio privately reassured Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles the deal would go ahead, despite a Pentagon review into the arrangement.
Marles said he has been informed when the AUKUS review will be finalized, but did not disclose the timeframe.
In September 2021, the US, the UK, and Australia signed the AUKUS pact, under which Canberra would receive nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
US President Donald Trump initiated a review of the A$368 billion ($247 billion) AUKUS pact in June to assess whether it aligns with his “America First” policy priorities.
"There's no greater honor than serving our country and our nation’s uniform," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a Perth press conference on Sunday. "And my government is dedicated to investing in the defense capabilities that our nation requires to keep Australians safe."
The $12 billion is an initial investment towards building a defense precinct at the Henderson facility in Perth, while more detailed planning and designs are finalized for the facility that will cost about AUD25 billion ($16 billion) over the decade.
The Henderson facility will be used for the construction of Australian Defence Force surface vessels, starting with army landing craft and then the local construction phase of Australia's future general-purpose frigates.
*Writing by Aamir Latif