The government has announced a strategic contract that paves the way for Australian battery technology to be used in the AUKUS submarine design.
South Australian-based PMB Defence is partnering with BAE Systems in the United Kingdom to enable the potential integration of its advanced nickel zinc battery system into the design of the future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. PMB will also supply battery technology for other Royal Navy submarines.
The contracts between PMB and BAE, valued in excess of $34 million, have already seen PMB add 20 staff to its workforce in South Australia with the company anticipating adding more jobs as it scales up to meet production requirements.
This follows 'extensive collaboration' between the Australian Submarine Agency, PMB Defence, and UK Ministry of Defence stakeholders, and has accelerated entry of Australian products into UK and US submarine supply chains.
PMB produces the main storage batteries for the Collins-class submarines, which have been in operation with the Royal Australian Navy since 1996.
If successful through the design phase, it is expected these batteries would be built at PMB’s facility in South Australia.
The future SSN-AUKUS submarines are being developed trilaterally, based on the UK’s next generation design that incorporates technology from all three nations, including US submarine technology, such as propulsion plant systems and components, a common vertical launch system and conventional weapons. AUKUS partners will also develop a joint combat system, as an expansion of the existing US-Australian combat system.
“The Albanese Government will always back Australian innovation and this strategic contract reinforces the fact that Aussies are world leaders when it comes to defence technology," Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“Australian industry is our greatest strategic asset. The contract for the AUKUS design, which comes on the back of work PMB has secured for other Royal Navy submarines, will create dozens of new well-paid high-skilled jobs for locals, on top the hundreds at BAE and ASC that AUKUS has already delivered."