BlueForge Alliance, a nonprofit defense integrator, has awarded Honeywell a key contract on behalf of the U.S. Navy’s AUKUS Acquisition and Integration Office to lead a pilot program designed to securely share technology and build Australia’s industrial base for the AUKUS submarine project.
For the AUKUS Submarine Industrial Base pilot program, Honeywell will establish a robust security framework to empower Australian companies to contribute to the production, maintenance and operation of Virginia-class submarines. The tech and manufacturing firm will team up with American partners, including Orbis Sibro and Massa Products, and Australian firm Senetas. As the program takes shape in the next two years, more Australian companies are expected to join the effort.
Lee Davis, head of Defense and Space Australia at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, described the AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States as a major endeavor and Australia’s top defense priority. “With a heritage of supporting nuclear stewardship in the U.S. industrial base for the conventionally armed, nuclear-powered Virginia-Class submarine program, combined with submarine component production in all three AUKUS regions, Honeywell is uniquely positioned to lead the formation of AUKUS Team SIB,” he said.
According to the three countries, Pillar I of AUKUS focuses on helping Canberra acquire “conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in a way that sets the highest non-proliferation standards.” This involves setting up a network of suppliers and partners and training a skilled workforce, for which Honeywell will be responsible.
This Honeywell contract builds upon other recent developments in the AUKUS submarine program. In November 2024, the Australian Submarine Agency began preparatory work for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, focusing on planning, workforce development and procurement. More recently, HII was selected to lead the new Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification program, aimed at accelerating the development of Australia’s supply chain to support submarines.