Having served as a Principal Warfare Officer on Australian Navy frigates – and hunted nuclear-powered submarines – I carry a strong affinity for the Navy and deep respect for what's at stake. That frontline perspective, combined with over 20 years of defence sector experience across Australia and the UK, shapes how I lead today. Many of my friends are still serving.
As Defence Market Director at AtkinsRéalis, my work is about giving them the tools and support to succeed and get home safely. Today, I'm channelling that experience into helping build the sovereign systems that will sustain Australia's submarine enterprise.
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The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
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Securing the future by empowering those that protect us
Explore how AtkinsRéalis is helping Australia build sovereign submarine capability. Defence Market Director David Eyles shares insights on the engineering challenges, strategic vision, and national impact of this once in a generation defence project.
How Australia's submarine enterprise is shaping sovereign defence capability
The scale and ambition of Australia's submarine program remind me of the early days of NASA. Back then, the mission wasn't just about reaching the moon – it was about mobilising a country behind something bold, complex, and future-defining. Australia's submarine enterprise is no different. While the technology opens up a groundbreaking new chapter, it's really about a nation's resolve to build something enduring. My team is proud to engage with the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), and others across the enterprise.
My role is to lead our defence business in Australia and ensure we're delivering meaningful support to our clients. Together, we translate ambition into practical delivery: helping shape the programs, systems, and workforce needed to bring Australia's submarine capability to life. We're drawing on proven experience from the UK and other global submarine programs. This isn't about lifting solutions from elsewhere and hoping they'll fit, but adapting what we know and what we can do to suit Australian needs.
Engineering Australia's submarine capability: the long view
Delivering Australia's submarine capability is one of the most complex engineering and delivery challenges this country has ever undertaken. Creating the infrastructure is a feat in itself – but there's also the tightly interwoven ecosystem of people, platforms, process, and policy. AtkinsRéalis can help Australia navigate it smoothly, bringing deep technical experience and delivery know-how. In the UK, we support the submarine enterprise from cradle to grave. That means we understand what works. And we know how to make that capability real here in Australia.
That experience matters because sovereign capability takes time. It can't be built in a budget cycle. It takes decades, requiring long-term partnerships, enduring systems, and a deliberate commitment to knowledge transfer. That's what we're here to do. Not deliver a submarine program on someone else's behalf – but to help Australia grow its own capability, with the people and platforms to sustain it for generations. A shared journey is the optimal pathway to success.
Engineering national security: what drives our defence work
But beyond the technical complexity and strategic planning, what motivates me most is the purpose behind the work. I'm proud to work for an organisation that delivers impact across energy, water, cities and defence – and does so with integrity and purpose. For me, engineering a better future starts with national security and peace of mind. Our defence work helps make the world a safer place. That includes building the right infrastructure, training, and systems to support the people who serve.
Building sovereign capability that lasts
And there's no better place to do it. Beyond the weather and the coastline, Australia is an exciting and rewarding place to work. We're accelerating infrastructure development and building engineering pathways to support our defence outcomes. The submarine enterprise is an enormous opportunity for Australia's engineers, project managers, and defence professionals. It's a once-in-a-generation mission with the power to shape not only the nation's skills and sovereign capability, but also the region's security.
We're committed to being part of that journey – working with Australian agencies, industry and individuals who will help shape what comes next. This is nation-building work – and we're ready to contribute with purpose, perspective, and staying power.
Learn more about how we're supporting Australia's resilience across defence, energy and infrastructure. Explore our capabilities and discover what it takes to engineer lasting impact.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.