As part of the Australia/UK/US defence pact (AUKUS),contractors had to be chosen to execute Australia's plan for a new fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines.Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps announced the news in Australia.It is the next step by Australia on the path to build and operate its own submarines,according to BAE Systems.Under the complex agreement,Australia and the UK will operate a common submarine in the future,incorporating technology from Australia,the UK and the US,based on the nextgen design led by BAE.BAE Systems and ASC Pty Ltd,a unit of the Australian Defence Force,will now bring together their complimentary skills,expertise and capabilities under a collaborative arrangement in Australia,leading to the establishment of a long-term,incorporated Joint Venture.Said Charles Woburn,BAE Systems Chief Executive:We're extremely proud of our role in the delivery of this vitally important tri-nation submarine programme.Our selection as a Partner in Australia,along with ASC,recognises our role as the UK's long-term design and build Partner and as a key player in Australia's maritime enterprise and wider defence landscape.We look forward to working with ASC to develop an enduring,sovereign nuclear-powered submarine building capacity for Australia.*SSN-AUKUS will be the largest,most powerful and advanced attack submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated and will start to replace the Astute class,which BAE Systems is building at its site in Barrow-in-Furness in Northwest England from the late 2030s.Australia expects to receive its first SSN-AUKUS submarine in the early 2040s.BAE Systems is also designing and building the UK's next generation nuclear deterrent submarine,incorporating US technology,Dreadnought,with construction underway on the first three of four new boats.*In Australia,BAE Systems has a long and proud heritage over 70 years,providing advanced defence technology from air amd maritime sustainment to shipbuilding,protecting both people and national security,while keeping critical information and infrastructure secure.*For its part,ASC will be the prime contractor for the sustainment of visiting US and UK submarines;Australia's sovereign Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarines;and the new SSN-AUKUS submarines administered in Western Australia;but actually built at Naval Shipyard Osborne,South Australia.Under the SSN-AUKUS programme,there will be a rotational presence of US and UK nuclear-powered attack submarines,with sustainment services provided at Garden Island,Western Australia.In the early 2030s,Australia will acquire US-built Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarines.Finally,in the early 2040s,the first SSN-AUKUS submarines will be delivered.ASC will provide sustainment,including short-term,medium,and deep-cycle maintenance.ASC is a government owned business enterprise involved with Australian naval shipbuilding as a unit of the Australian Defence Force,based at Naval Shipyard Osborne,South Australia.*BAE Systems PLC (OTCM:BAESY),Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)