Defence will invest a further $262 million to support the uplift of Australian industry so that it can participate in the AUKUS supply chain. The funding will be distributed through three programs; the Defence Industry Development Grants Program, The Global Supply Chain Program, and the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program.
"The Australian Government continues to work in a targeted way with our AUKUS partners and Australian industry to get Australian products into UK and US supply chains," said the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy.
The funding will flow through to around 125 companies across the country who work in a range of areas. It will support them to upgrade and enhance their own processes so that they can take part in both the Australian and global submarine supply chain.
“Our commitments highlight the pivotal role of Australian industry in driving progress not just for our own conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, but for the fleets of our AUKUS partners as well.”