A new facility will be designed to service nuclear-powered submarines in either Brisbane, Newcastle or Port Kembla in New South Wales.

The significant expansion of Australia’s defence footprint will begin work to be completed by the end of next year under a $10 billion plan announced by the federal government on Monday.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has told 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker that although WA missed out on the lucrative submarine contract for the second time in six months, the state will still play a part in the new submarine base.

“Our predictions of about 2000 jobs in WA continues, and it’s where we get all of these workers… I think WA will continue to see an expansion,” he said.

“There’s also a strategic element to this where we’ve got significant assets in the West, in South Australia and Osborne. But also a requirement on the East Coast as well.”

Press PLAY below to listen about the future of the submarine and defence industry in Western Australia.