A comprehensive ASC and US shipbuilder program enabled by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) that qualifies Australian businesses for the AUKUS supply chain has drawn significant interest from around the country.
The US government and the ASA collaborated to establish the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program. In the early “waves” of the program, the US and Australia have partnered to bring together ASC and the primary American submarine manufacturers General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding. These businesses, supported by ASA, will collaborate to fast-track qualification for local manufacturers seeking to supply parts for the US Virginia Class submarine build program.
Australian businesses have lodged nearly 170 expressions of interest to supply dozens of different parts to support the US submarine industrial base, including valves, castings, mechanical assemblies, pipe fittings, forgings, and machined parts. Several businesses are in the final stages of qualification under DIVQ, and it’s expected they will be able to compete for contracts within months.
Many more opportunities will be opened to Defence industry as the program continues to deliver against its objectives, with further details to be published on the Industry Capability Network (ICN). The US Navy’s Virginia Class submarines are the world’s most advanced conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines, and will be the first such submarines to join the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet.
Building on the early waves of DIVQ, ASA and ASC are working with both the US and the UK to establish other DIVQ projects. These projects will open the door for Australian industry to provide parts, repairs and services for all three AUKUS partners.
ASC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Stuart Whiley said the DIVQ program is great news for Australian manufacturers and service providers. “With 40 years’ experience building and sustaining Australia’s Collins Class submarines, ASC has built a trusted network of skilled suppliers that delivers mission-critical capability to the Royal Australian Navy,” Whiley said. “In doing so, we have helped grow sovereign skills, advanced technologies, and industrial resilience for the nation.”
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