Submarines set to be built in Australia under Turnbull government

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews has strongly endorsed a pitch by shipbuilders to construct Australia's next fleet of submarines largely in Australia, signalling a major shift since Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister towards a local build that would deliver thousands of manufacturing jobs.

In what amounts to a significant change by the Coalition, Mr Andrews talked up a pitch by French submarine builder DCNS under which about three-quarters of the building work – which will cost at least $20 billion – would be done in South Australia.

His enthusiasm corresponds with a widely held view in Coalition circles, including among previously nervous South Australian Liberal MPs, that Mr Turnbull is far more inclined than his predecessor Tony Abbott to build the replacement fleet for the Collins Class submarines onshore.

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