The Hunter Class Frigate System has now employed nearly 700 men. It is projected that those numbers will reach 1000 by the end of the year and 1,500 by mid-2025 before hitting a total of 2,400 by 2028.

ASC Shipbuilding will build nine anti-submarine warfare frigates at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, in what is known as Australia's largest surface ship project

The $35 billion project is projected to create thousands of new jobs at defense primes and smaller component factories in South Australia and overseas, which are being contracted to provide parts and expertise.

This comes at an opportune time as Australian Bureau of Statistics labor force statistics for March, published last week, show South Australia's seasonally adjusted jobless rate climbed to 6.2 percent, up from its already nation-topping February rate of 5.8 percent.

The full effect of coronavirus job losses is unlikely to appear before next month's figures for April are released.

Osborne has been home to the Air Warfare Destroyer project for over a decade, and was also home to six Collins Class submarines constructed for the Royal Australian Navy and maintained ongoing maintenance.

It is also planned to be the construction site for 12 Attack Class Submarines, generating thousands of jobs from 2024 onwards.

Maritime Business World