H&B Defence starts validations on 1st AUSSQ program cohort

H&B Defence has commenced validation visits to the first group of suppliers selected to join the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Pilot Program. Twelve businesses from five states were down-selected following a national Expression of Interest. These businesses will each undergo capability and compliance assessments by H&B Defence  in the coming weeks and months to determine their readiness to export to the US submarine and aircraft carrier supply chains. Evaluations will ensure that the manufacturing methods, processes and procedures of each supplier meet the stringent standards set for this environment. The inaugural cohort chosen by H&B Defence will aim to supply critical components and services in two priority areas—Castings and Forgings and Precision Machining—to support delivery of Virginia-class submarines built in the US. Upon qualification, suppliers will be eligible to compete for contract opportunities at Newport News Shipbuilding. Participating suppliers include: Castings and Forgings CQMS  (QLD) AW Bell (VIC) AJAX (NSW) Castech (SA) Hycast (NSW) Intercast (SA) Precision Machining Supashock (SA) Camco (WA) Stella (NSW) Ferra (QLD) Axiom (SA) Marand(VIC) These suppliers were chosen from a competitive pool of hundreds of Australian businesses—spanning both emerging and established players in the defence sector—reflecting a national determination to strengthen sovereign defence supply chains. As the two-year Pilot Program progresses, H&B Defence will identify additional Australian businesses with the capability to support future work packages. Target areas include air and gas flasks, fabricated parts, composites, glass-reinforced plastics, furniture and joinery, and circuit cards. Also now advancing their international export ambitions through AUSSQ is a further 10 businesses, which commenced their qualification journey through state government-funded capability uplift programs in Western Australia and South Australia. First qualification outcomes are anticipated later this year. H&B Defence Managing Director Tim Brown said: “The EOI has unearthed remarkable capability within Australia’s defence manufacturing sector, and the wide geographic spread of these first 12 businesses highlights the nation’s extensive industrial depth. As we move through the audit and validation phase, our focus remains on ensuring each supplier meets the rigorous standards required to support the US submarine industrial base and validates their readiness to deliver world-class components to our international partners and Australia. By elevating local expertise to global standards, H&B Defence is building a sovereign, resilient trilateral supply chain that will drive job creation and economic growth while positioning Australia’s manufacturing base as a trusted partner in AUKUS enterprise.” AW Bell Pty Ltd CEO Sam Bell said: “As a trusted partner to the defence sector for over a decade—delivering high-precision metal components across multiple platforms—we are proud to be advancing through the qualification phase of the AUSSQ program.  We look forward to continuing our contribution in strengthening Australia’s industrial base, which is vital to sovereign capability and long-term strategic resilience.” Stella Engineering Business Development Executive Darren Bramley said: “We have a strong foundation in advanced manufacturing and precision machining, with established capabilities in the motorsport, medical, and mining engineering sectors. While we have engaged with the defence industry at both prime and sub-prime levels, we have not yet had the opportunity to directly export into a major defence program. Being a family-run enterprise in regional New South Wales, AUSSQ presents an exciting opportunity to diversify our operations and develop into a trusted, A-class partner to the defence industry. Working with H&B Defence on US supply chain accreditation has been a collaborative experience from the very beginning. Their guidance through the early stages of validation has been invaluable, and we’re excited to continue strengthening our operations to unlock new opportunities and contribute to Australia’s long-term AUKUS objectives.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]