Key points of new shipbuilding plan

KEY POINTS IN NEW SHIPBUILDING PLAN:

* Construction of Future Frigates will start in 2020 in Adelaide, three years earlier than scheduled under the 2012 Defence Capability Plan.

* They will replace the navy's eight Anzac frigates, constructed in Melbourne between 1994 and 2004.

* The new vessels will be larger than the 3600-tonne Anzacs and designed with a strong emphasis on anti-submarine warfare.

* Construction of new offshore patrol vessels will start in 2018, two years earlier than scheduled.

* They will replace 14 Armidale patrol boats, mine warfare vessels, survey and hydrographic ships with a single class of about 20 ships. The government hasn't said where they'll be built - but likely Melbourne.

* The new patrol boats will be much larger than the 300-tonne Armidale class vessels, made of steel and able to carry a helicopter.

* Full details will be outlined in the new Defence White Paper. The government says the two projects will cost $39 billion.

* Selection of designs for both vessels will be conducted through a competitive evaluation process, not a tender, starting in October.

* Both will be produced through a process of continuous construction, turning out new vessels about every two years.

* The government says starting earlier will save about 1000 shipyard jobs. When both projects are in full swing, there will be about 2500 enduring jobs.