The federal government will spend $12 billion to expand a defence facility to build ships and nuclear-powered submarines in Western Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to confirm the mammoth investment along with his deputy Richard Marles, defence personnel minister Matt Keogh and Western Australia's premier Roger Cook in WA on Sunday.
The money will go towards building a defence precinct within the maritime hub on Cockburn Sound in Perth's south.
The design of the Henderson facility will aim to deliver shipbuilding and increase Australia's AUKUS capacity.
Albanese is expected to outline expectations the precinct will support 10,000 direct jobs over the next two decades.
"Today's investment is another way we are delivering record defence funding to bolster Australia's capabilities," he will say.
"There is no greater honour than serving our country in our nation's uniform and my government is dedicated to investing in the defence capabilities our nation requires."
The $12 billion will in fact amount to a down payment for Henderson, with independent planning and advice indicating it will consume about $25 billion over the decade.
The initial funding will go to kick-starting early works while more detailed planning and designs are finalised.
It will be used for construction of ADF surface vessels, starting with army landing craft and then the local construction phase of Australia's future general purpose frigates.
Facilities will also be built to support surface combat vessels and docking capabilities for conventionally-armed but nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.
