The Australian government has committed $4.3 billion (US$3.1 billion) to build the first large-vessel dry docking facility at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. It comes as Australia’s west coast state is set to host American and British nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS partnership. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday said the project includes building a large vessel dry-dock and associated infrastructure in Henderson. It will support around 500 jobs in the construction of the “world-class shipyard” and around 2,000 jobs once completed. “This work will ensure we can maintain our sovereignty, our flexibility and offer long-term value for money outcomes for the Australian public,” he told reporters in Perth on Tuesday. “We expect construction to commence in 2023-2023 with initial operational capability by 2029, and a final operating capability by 2030.” It will be the country’s second dry dock used to build and sustain large vessels and is …