HII will lead the new Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification, or AUSSQ, program aimed at accelerating the development of Australia’s supply chain to support the AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The program will identify and qualify Australian suppliers and products that will support the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, released last week by the Australian Submarine Agency. The strategy seeks to establish sovereign industrial capability for future nuclear and conventional submarines, as well as existing Collins-class subs.
Two-Year, $6M Contract
HII will implement AUSSQ under a two-year Department of Defence contract valued an initial $6 million with an extension option depending on results. The company’s Australian operations will manage the program in partnership with H&B Defence, an HII and Babcock joint venture.
Chris Kastner, HII president and CEO, said the contract represents a major step in the establishment of a “resilient and globally integrated supply chain” for nuclear submarines.
HII Grows Supplier Pipeline
“We welcome Australian partners to help build out this critical nuclear shipbuilding capability and ensure the long-term success of AUKUS,” the executive said. “HII has a long history of working with suppliers to ensure they meet the highest standards in safety, security and performance.”
Companies and suppliers across Australia will be tapped in the AUSSQ pilot program that will build on HII Australia’s recent similar partnership with both the governments of South Australia and Western Australia. AUSSQ also complements Canberra’s Defence Industry Vendor Qualification program where several Department of Defence contracts have already been awarded.