H&B Defence – a joint venture between HII and Babcock - has won its first contract to enhance supply chain capabilities for AUKUS through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program.
“H&B Defence brings together the only two organisations worldwide with comprehensive expertise in every aspect of nuclear-powered submarine activities, and as such, is perfectly placed to support the acceleration and development of critical sovereign capability for the once-in-a-generation AUKUS submarine program," H&B Defence Board Chairman and HII Australia President, Michael Lempke, said.
Formalising its role as the delivery partner for HII’s initial $9.6 million 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.
"Securing this contract signals the beginning of a long-term commitment and willingness to deliver innovative, reliable solutions in support of Australia’s national security and that of our allies," Babcock Australasia CEO and H&B Defence Non-Executive Director, Andrew Cridland, stated.
H&B Defence will assess 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.