iscover
Century Engineering has become the first Australian business to secure export contracts into the United States naval nuclear supply chain, embedding Australian industry within the US industrial base.
The South Australian manufacturer has been awarded contracts by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding to produce precision-engineered parts for US aircraft carriers. Production of the crank components will begin within weeks.
It is the first time an Australian company has delivered parts into a live nuclear-powered naval program, signalling a step change in Australia’s role from prospector to participant within allied AUKUS supply chains.
“The Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Program is delivering tangible outcomes for local Australian businesses to break into global AUKUS supply chains,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
“This program is all about creating jobs, growing skills and strengthening the industrial partnerships at the heart of AUKUS, all while developing a strong, sovereign submarine enterprise here in Australia.
“This is a really exciting announcement for Century Engineering, for South Australia and for our national industrial base.”
Century Engineering’s success follows its qualification to US naval nuclear standards through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Program.
Delivered by H&B Defence on behalf of the Australian Submarine Agency, AUSSQ is designed to identify, uplift and qualify Australian businesses to meet the exacting requirements of US and UK nuclear-powered submarine enterprises, creating a direct pathway into AUKUS-aligned programs.
This outcome demonstrates that Australian industry can meet the highest global standards for quality and assurance and validates AUSSQ as a critical enabler of sovereign capability development. It also reinforces Australia’s ability to contribute meaningfully to trilateral defence industrial capacity.
To date, 13 Australian companies have qualified for inclusion in the US submarine industrial base through AUSSQ and are responding to requests for quotation across priority areas, including precision machining, casting and forging, and fabricated components.
At the same time, AUSSQ has expanded to support the United Kingdom’s submarine enterprise. A growing cohort of Australian businesses are now being assessed across 20 capability areas to support Royal Navy Force Rotations at HMAS Stirling from 2027, including sustainment of visiting Astute Class submarines.
“This is a rewarding acknowledgement of our evolution from simple component manufacturer to suppling advanced manufacturing capability to US naval nuclear platforms,” Century Engineering managing director David Heaslip said.
Century Engineering’s entry into the AUKUS ecosystem began through a pilot initiative jointly funded by HII and the South Australian government, with targeted state grants accelerating its progression to nuclear standards.
This milestone highlights the impact of coordinated investment in industrial capability, workforce skills and quality systems to unlock global defence opportunities.
“AUSSQ is establishing a pipeline of Australian industry ready to participate in long-term naval programs across the United States and United Kingdom,” said H&B Defence board member and Babcock acting CEO Leah Grantham.
“For South Australia, this represents a significant opportunity. The state’s strength in advanced manufacturing, built on decades of shipbuilding, automotive production and continued investment in precincts like Tonsley and Lot Fourteen, positions it well to play a leading role in the AUKUS industrial ecosystem, delivering enduring benefits to our communities.”
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.
