**Australia**: Huntington Ingalls Industries has landed a A$9.6 million contract to launch the AUSSQ pilot programme, aimed at integrating Australian suppliers into the US submarine supply chain, enhancing collaboration within the AUKUS partnership and boosting local capabilities in nuclear submarine construction.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has secured a contract to implement the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) pilot programme, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing Australia’s self-reliance and its integration into the global supply chain for submarine construction. The contract, valued at A$9.6 million (approximately $6.03 million), is set to span two years, with the potential for extension contingent on performance metrics.
The AUSSQ pilot programme is designed to expedite the integration of Australian suppliers into the United States submarine industrial base, thus fostering greater participation from Australia in the AUKUS trilateral security partnership, which includes cooperation between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This development arrives on the heels of the recent launch of the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy.
The initiative will see HII collaborate with a network of Australian enterprises across the nation. This engagement builds upon HII Australia’s existing partnerships with various government entities in South Australia and Western Australia. The aim is to establish a robust framework for Australian suppliers to gain qualifications necessary for tendering into US submarine programmes.
According to the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, “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.” This model emphasises direct collaboration, allowing HII to provide critical technical advice and best practices that meet the stringent requirements of nuclear submarine components.
HII’s Australian operations will be central to executing the contract, leveraging its extensive domestic and international expertise. The company will also work closely with H&B Defence, a joint venture formed between HII and Babcock, to ensure a seamless integration of local suppliers into its supply chain.
Chris Kastner, president and CEO of HII, remarked, “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.” This statement underscores HII’s commitment to fostering the expertise necessary for Australia’s involvement in nuclear-powered submarine construction.
With a robust history spanning over six decades in managing supplier networks for US Navy nuclear-powered submarine programmes, HII is poised to guide the Australian industry in adhering to the rigorous standards required for such critical national security projects. The AUSSQ pilot programme is expected to significantly bolster Australia’s capabilities in this strategic area, enhancing its role within the AUKUS partnership framework.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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