Photo courtesy of Babcock Australia

H&B Defence has commenced validation visits to the first group of suppliers selected to join the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Pilot Program.

Twelve businesses from five states were down-selected following a national Expression of Interest. These businesses will each undergo capability and compliance assessments by H&B Defence in the coming weeks and months to determine their readiness to export to the US submarine and aircraft carrier supply chains.

Evaluations will ensure that the manufacturing methods, processes and procedures of each supplier meet the stringent standards set for this environment.

The inaugural cohort chosen by H&B Defence will aim to supply critical components and services in two priority areas—Castings and Forgings and Precision Machining—to support delivery of Virginia-class submarines built in the US. Upon qualification, suppliers will be eligible to compete for contract opportunities at Newport News Shipbuilding.

Participating suppliers include:

Castings and Forgings

• CQMS (QLD)
• AW Bell (VIC)
• AJAX (NSW)
• Castech (SA)
• Hycast (NSW)
• Intercast (SA)

Precision Machining

• Supashock (SA)
• Camco (WA)
• Stella (NSW)
• Ferra (QLD)
• Axiom (SA)
• Marand(VIC)

These suppliers were chosen from a competitive pool of hundreds of Australian businesses—spanning both emerging and established players in the defence sector—reflecting a national determination to strengthen sovereign defence supply chains.

As the two-year Pilot Program progresses, H&B Defence will identify additional Australian businesses with the capability to support future work packages. Target areas include air and gas flasks, fabricated parts, composites, glass-reinforced plastics, furniture and joinery, and circuit cards.