Australian-made submarine grade steel will be used in the build of US Navy Virginia-class submarines for the first time.
Bisalloy Steel has received a purchase order from US shipbuilder General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) valued at approximately US$2 million for HY80 steel plate to support the production and construction of Virginia-class submarines.
The landmark order follows Bisalloy’s successful qualification to the US Navy's rigorous structural steel standards through the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program. The DIVQ Program is helping Australian companies enter US submarine supply chains.
The qualification process involved close collaboration between Bisalloy, BlueScope, the Australian Submarine Agency, GDEB and the US Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Submarines, to demonstrate Australian industry's ability to meet the stringent standards required for submarine construction.
BlueScope manufactures the raw steel plate, while Bisalloy undertakes the specialised processing and heat treatment required to produce submarine-grade HY80 steel.
The US has identified steel supply as a key industrial priority.
The order will provide valuable production experience for Australian industry and position Australian companies to compete for future opportunities.
"This is a significant AUKUS milestone and a proud moment for Australian industry," Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
"For the first time, Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of US Virginia-class submarines, demonstrating the world-leading capabilities of our manufacturing sector and the growing contribution Australian industry is making to allied defence capability.
"This is exactly what AUKUS is designed to achieve. With this initial order, the AUKUS program is creating tangible opportunities for Australian industry while lifting their technical standards. It is supporting local workers and businesses, and building the industrial capability that will underpin Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine enterprise."