Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has received a contract to implement the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) pilot programme designed to bolster the establishment of a self-reliant and globally connected supply chain.
With a two-year span, the scheme is aimed at expediting the integration of Australian suppliers into the US submarine industrial base.
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The contract has an initial value is A$9.6m ($6.03m) with potential for extension based on performance.
The AUSSQ pilot initiative enhances participation of Australian enterprises in the AUKUS trilateral security partnership involving Australia, the UK, and the US.
It will collaborate with Australian companies across the country, building upon HII Australia’s recent partnerships with the South Australian and Western Australian governments.
This initiative aligns with the Australian government’s Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Programme and follows the launch of the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy earlier this month.
The AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy states: “The AUSSQ Pilot programme will use a B2B model, enabling HII Australia to work directly with Australian businesses to qualify both the businesses and their products, and subsequently assist them to tender for supply into the US programmes.”
HII’s role will involve evaluating and nurturing Australian suppliers, offering technical advice, and instilling best practices to meet the exacting requirements for nuclear submarine components.
The company’s Australian operations will oversee the contract, leveraging the company’s domestic and international expertise and collaborating with H&B Defence, a joint venture between HII and Babcock.
HII president and CEO Chris Kastner said: “HII has a long history of working with suppliers to ensure they meet the highest standards in safety, security, and performance. We welcome Australian partners to help build out this critical nuclear shipbuilding capability and ensure the long-term success of AUKUS.”
HII has more than six decades of experience in managing supplier networks for US Navy nuclear-powered submarine programmes and upholding a nuclear stewardship culture for the US Department of Energy on vital national security projects.
This expertise is anticipated to aid the Australian industry in adhering to the rigorous standards required for nuclear-powered submarine construction.
