NEWS - ARTICLE

H&B Defence – a joint venture between HII and Babcock - has secured its first contract to enhance supply chain capabilities for the global AUKUS enterprise through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program. 

Formalising its role as the delivery partner for HII’s initial A$9.6M contract with the Australian Government, the joint venture will lead a nationwide qualification process over the next two years to identify Australian suppliers with the requisite skills and products to support the Virginia-class submarine and aircraft carrier build programs at Newport News Shipbuilding in the US.

H&B Defence will evaluate for competency across seven Work Packages in high demand to support the delivery of the first three nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS trilateral security partnership. Product categories include Castings and Forgings, Precision Machining, Air and Gas Flasks, Fabricated Parts, Composites and Glass Reinforced Plastic, Joinery and Circuit Cards.

Shortlisting of suitable small and medium enterprises will commence in May, followed by more formal technical assessments and validations. 

H&B Defence will support each stage of Australia's transition to sovereign nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS Pillar 1, including workforce skills development, nuclear infrastructure design and build, submarine defueling and decommissioning, nuclear waste and future sustainment.