HII and Babcock have formed a new joint venture and entity – H&B Defence – to accelerate the development of sovereign capability for the AUKUS conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine program.
H&B Defence combines world-leading nuclear submarine and shipbuilding experience from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to support the nation’s inaugural nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS.
H&B Defence has been established to support all steps of Australia’s optimal pathway to sovereign nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS Pillar 1 – including workforce, nuclear infrastructure design and build, submarine defueling and decommissioning, nuclear waste and future sustainment.
Tim Brown has been appointed as H&B Defence's first Managing Director.
“H&B Defence's mission is to transform Australia's submarine industrial landscape to position the nation to operate nuclear submarines," Brown said.
"This joint venture will focus on equipping Australia with the requisite industrial base, supply chains, and workforce required to support and manage all aspects of the nuclear-powered submarine lifecycle.”
The company, headquartered in Canberra, Australia, will work with government and key stakeholders from industry and academic sectors to develop a comprehensive program to promote and grow a skilled sovereign nuclear workforce in Australia.