Century Engineering wins first US defence export contracts

Century Engineering has become the first Australian business to secure export contracts into the United States naval nuclear supply chain. The South Australian manufacturer has been awarded contracts by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding to produce precision-engineered parts for US aircraft carriers, which are among the world’s most complex and highly regulated defence platforms. Production of the crank components will begin within weeks. It is the first time an Australian company has delivered parts into a live nuclear-powered naval program, signalling a step change in Australia’s role from prospector to participant within allied AUKUS supply chains. Century Engineering’s success follows its qualification to US naval nuclear standards through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Program. Delivered by H&B Defence on behalf of the Australian Submarine Agency, AUSSQ is designed to identify, uplift and qualify Australian businesses to meet the exacting requirements of US and UK nuclear-powered submarine enterprises, creating a direct pathway into AUKUS-aligned programs. To date, 13 Australian companies have qualified for inclusion in the US submarine industrial base through AUSSQ, and are responding to Requests for Quotation across priority areas including precision machining, casting and forging, and fabricated components. At the same time, AUSSQ has expanded to support the United Kingdom’s submarine enterprise. A growing cohort of Australian businesses are now being assessed across 20 capability areas to support Royal Navy Force Rotations at HMAS Stirling from 2027, including sustainment of visiting Astute-class submarines. Century Engineering’s entry into the AUKUS ecosystem began through a pilot initiative jointly funded by HII and the South Australian Government, with targeted state grants accelerating its progression to nuclear standards. This milestone highlights the impact of coordinated investment in industrial capability, workforce skills and quality systems to unlock global defence opportunities. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “The Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Program is delivering tangible outcomes for local Australian businesses to break into global AUKUS supply chains. This program is all about creating jobs, growing skills and strengthening the industrial partnerships at the heart of AUKUS – all while developing a strong, sovereign submarine enterprise here in Australia. This is a really exciting announcement for Century Engineering, for South Australia and for our national industrial base.” Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas said: “What is happening at Century Engineering is a shining example of the transformative opportunity AUKUS presents for South Australian manufacturing. Not so long ago Century was making parts for Victa lawnmowers. Now, through the opportunity provided by AUKUS, it is making parts for nuclear powered aircraft carriers in the United States. This work, supported by the South Australian Government in partnership with the Albanese Federal Government, presents a new opportunity to grow a highly complex export industry, and sustain secure, well paid jobs for a long time to come.” South Australian Defence Minister Chris Picton said: “The success of Century Engineering entering the US shipbuilding supply chain is a major milestone and will set the foundation for other South Australian companies to follow its lead. South Australia’s doubled its defence industry output over the last five years to $2 billion and that number is set to significantly grow.“ H&B Defence Managing Director Tim Brown said: “Century Engineering’s success marks a real shift for Australian industry under AUKUS — from building capability to delivering into it. This is more than a single contract; it shows Australian SMEs can meet the highest standards and take their place in trusted international defence supply chains, contributing at scale.” HII’s President of the Global Security Group Michael Lempke said: “Century Engineering’s achievement is exactly what AUKUS was designed to unlock — deeper industrial integration between our nations and a stronger, more resilient supply chain. Through HII’s partnership in the AUSSQ program, we are seeing Australian industry qualify to the highest standards and contribute meaningfully to the U.S. naval nuclear supply chain. This milestone shows what is possible when allied industrial bases work together with focus and purpose.” H&B Defence Board Member and Babcock Acting CEO Leah Grantham said: “AUSSQ is establishing a pipeline of Australian industry ready to participate in long term naval programs across the United States and United Kingdom. For South Australia, this represents a significant opportunity. The state’s strength in advanced manufacturing, built on decades of shipbuilding, automotive production, and continued investment in precincts like Tonsley and Lot Fourteen, positions it well to play a leading role in the AUKUS industrial ecosystem, delivering enduring benefits to our communities.” Century Engineering Managing Director David Heaslip said: “This is a rewarding acknowledgement of our evolution from simple component manufacturer to suppling advanced manufacturing capability to US naval nuclear platforms.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]