The first event was held in Brisbane, where around 60 companies registered to participate. Further roadshows are planned for the Hunter Valley, Melbourne and Hobart following AUKUS National Supply Chain Conferences held earlier this year in Adelaide and Perth.
BAE Systems Australia and ASC are Australia’s sovereign submarine build partners for the SSN-AUKUS program. They said suppliers from every state and territory will be needed for what they describe as the country’s largest industrial undertaking.
The roadshows are intended to give prospective suppliers a clearer understanding of future opportunities, technical standards and long-term planning requirements. The effort is also designed to develop industrial capabilities before companies are required to support construction of Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“The SSN-AUKUS program is not simply the local construction of nuclear-powered submarines, but the establishment of an enduring and sovereign industrial base,” said BAE Systems Australia CEO Craig Lockhart. “We are helping to ensure Australian businesses are match fit and ready for emerging opportunities to support the delivery of Australia’s next-generation submarines.”
“The nuclear-powered submarine endeavour is akin to a marathon and we are now ready to commence our fitness program to be ready for the race,” Lockhart said. The companies are using the national engagement process to identify suppliers and strengthen capabilities needed for the long-term submarine program.
Australia already has domestic companies supporting the Hunter-class frigate program and the construction and sustainment of Collins-class submarines and Hobart-class destroyers. BAE Systems Australia and ASC said SSN-AUKUS will draw on that experience while creating opportunities for additional suppliers.
“Building Australia’s future submarine capability starts with building Australian capability,” said ASC CEO Alex Walsh. “By engaging with industry early and creating clear pathways into the SSN-AUKUS Build Program, we’re helping Australian businesses develop the capability that will underpin one of the nation’s most significant industrial endeavours.”
Queensland manufacturer B&R Enclosures was among the businesses registered for the Brisbane event. The company is a member of BAE Systems Australia’s Partnering4Success program and has previously supported Australian naval and defense projects.
“The AUKUS program represents an opportunity to strengthen Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability,” said B&R Enclosures Key Account Manager Adrian Hudson. “As an Australian manufacturer with a long history supporting naval and defence projects, we’re excited by the potential to invest in local skills, create high-value jobs, and contribute to a more resilient industrial base.”
The roadshow program is intended to broaden the pool of Australian companies able to participate in SSN-AUKUS and prepare them for future requirements. BAE Systems Australia and ASC are focusing on supplier readiness, domestic skills and industrial capacity as preparations for the submarine build move forward.
