Australia’s submarine company, ASC, together with American submarine manufacturers General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding, have announced that HIFraser is the first Australian business to qualify for the Virginia class submarine supply chain through a gateway program enabled by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).
“HIFraser’s achievement is a significant milestone for Australian industry and demonstrates the capability and quality we can deliver to the AUKUS partnership,” ASC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Whiley, congratulated.
“Through DIVQ, we are opening doors for Australian businesses to participate in one of the most advanced defence programs in the world, creating opportunities that will endure for decades.”
HIFraser is now qualified to supply three valve types and pipe fittings to US submarine programs, for use in the construction and sustainment of Virginia class submarines.
To accelerate the integration of Australian businesses into the Virginia class submarine supply chain and support construction of Virginia Class submarines in the United States, the US Government and ASA have established the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) program.
“HIFraser is proud to play a key role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability through the DIVQ program,” HIFraser Chief Strategy Officer, Debora Fortkamp, said.
“By meeting stringent qualification standards, we reinforce our commitment to excellence in critical systems, ensuring our expertise delivers lasting value across the AUKUS supply chain.”
Through DIVQ, ASC is working with an Australian-based team from General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding to fast-track qualification for Australian businesses to supply parts for the Virginia class submarines, including valves, mechanical assemblies, castings, pipe fittings, machined parts, and electrical components.
HIFraser is the first Australian business to achieve qualification by meeting the rigorous engineering, quality, and security benchmarks demanded by the US.
Qualification will enable HIFraser to compete for contracts to supply a range of valves for the submarines – the first of their kind to join the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet.
Several other Australian businesses are in the final stages of qualification under DIVQ which will allow them to join HIFraser and compete for contracts to supply into the Virginia class submarine program.
Building on these early successes, ASA and ASC are working with the US and UK to establish additional DIVQ projects. These will enable Australian industry to provide parts, repairs and services across all three AUKUS partners.
This announcement has coincided with the Submarine Maintenance Period for United States Ship (USS) Vermont at HMAS Stirling.
“Australian Defence Force personnel and industry are working side by side with our AUKUS partners to deliver a demanding maintenance program on a US Virginia class submarine – building the skills and experience that will underpin our sovereign submarine capability," Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, highlighted.
During this maintenance period, personnel from the RAN and ASC will work alongside their US counterparts to support over 160 maintenance tasks, including a mobile pure water plant designed by Western Australian companies MAK Water and Diverse Welding to meet stringent US and UK standards.
“HIFraser’s qualification and MAK Water’s achievement showcase how AUKUS is delivering opportunities for Australian industry, creating jobs for local workers and building our sovereign capability," Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, said.
According to the Government, this is the first time a US nuclear‑powered submarine has undergone a maintenance period in Australia without a US support ship.