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H&B Defence has begun assessing hundreds of submissions from local businesses eager to join the AUKUS supply chain, following a strong response to an open market expression of interest for the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification pilot program.
Within just three weeks, around 200 businesses from across the country registered their interest in the program, setting the wheels in motion for potential involvement in Newport News Shipbuilding supply chain opportunities.
The expression of interest (EOI) is the first step for Australian companies looking to qualify for future work under AUKUS Pillar 1, which focuses on delivering nuclear-powered submarines to enhance shared defence capabilities.
The surge in registrations comes as H&B Defence formalises its partnership with major US shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). The collaboration is a key element of the Australian government’s efforts to uplift and prepare domestic industry to support the AUKUS partnership.
H&B Defence managing director Tim Brown said, “The strong response to the expression of interest demonstrates the eagerness of Australian industry to play a key role in the AUKUS supply chain.”
Western Australian suppliers have so far made up the bulk of the EOI applications, with strong engagement also coming from Victoria and NSW. There’s been particularly high interest in precision machining – one of the first two available work packages, alongside castings and forgings.
“With hundreds of businesses stepping forward, we are moving quickly to assess their capabilities and ensure the most qualified suppliers meet the necessary requirements to progress to the next stage,” Brown added.
Over the course of the two-year Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) pilot program, seven work packages in total will be made available for Australian suppliers to register for, giving local industry a structured pathway to contribute to this critical trilateral defence initiative.
Brown added, “We ultimately want to expand opportunities for Australian businesses to contribute to a resilient trilateral supply chain, which will, in turn, enhance future sovereign defence capabilities while driving economic growth and job creation across the sector.”
H&B Defence combines world-leading experience from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to support the development of critical sovereign capability for the once-in-a-generation AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program.
Formed in 2024 as a joint venture between HII and Babcock, H&B Defence is equipped to support all stages of Australia’s optimal pathway to sovereign nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS Pillar 1.
This includes workforce development, nuclear infrastructure design and construction, submarine defuelling and decommissioning, nuclear waste management and future sustainment, ensuring Australia is ready to support both Virginia Class submarines and the next-generation SSN-AUKUS fleet.
Businesses interested in taking part can register through the AUSSQ EOI portal.
