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Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy has announced the awarding of several contracts under a qualification process that paves the way for the Australian businesses to enter UK and US submarine supply chains, underscoring further progress in delivering the AUKUS program.
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The contracts to HIFraser, Mack Valves, Bale Defence and STAUFF Corporation announced today will enable these businesses to commence manufacture of a sample of standard US Navy valves and pipe fittings as part of their qualification process – a critical step to becoming approved vendors within the US submarine industrial base.
These companies have strong histories supporting Defence projects, including the Collins Class submarine capability and will leverage the opportunities provided by the DIVQ, which provides a vital conduit for helping Australian businesses, supporting high-skilled and well-paid jobs in locations across the country, including in regional Australia.
Minister Pat Conroy said, "This qualification program is critical to delivering on AUKUS but also demonstrates how AUKUS can deliver for Australians and local businesses by providing opportunities for growth and jobs.”
Once qualified, these businesses will have the opportunity to manufacture and supply valves or pipe fittings for use in the construction and sustainment of a range of navy platforms, including Virginia Class submarines.
Once qualified these businesses will become part of the US supply chains, giving them the opportunity to receive orders to meet demand. This Australian government funding gives them that opportunity to prove their manufacturing capability and in partnership with the AUKUS partners, supports the approval process.
Minister Conroy added, "It helps to fill the gaps within the supply chains of our AUKUS partners, giving greater strength and resilience to these supply chains.”
The contracts, secured by companies, employ a number of Australians around the country, across a range of components critical to the trilateral submarine industrial base, including:
- HIFraser has signed an initial contract with the Australian government to produce 15 valves (five lots of three valve types). HIFraser will also be producing pipe fittings for qualification. HIFraser employs 135 Australians, with locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and O’Connor.
- Mack Valves has signed an initial contract with the Australian government to produce 15 valves (five lots of three valve types). Mack Valves employs 33 Australians, with locations in Townsville, Wollongong, Melbourne and Adelaide.
- Bale Defence has signed an initial contract to manufacture pipe fittings. Bale Defence employs 44 Australians in Port Macquarie, NSW.
- STAUFF Corporation has signed an initial contract to manufacture pipe fittings. STAUFF Corporation employs 92 Australians with locations in Wollongong, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
“It also contributes to the development of Australian businesses ahead of the build and sustainment of our own conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines,” Minister Conroy said.
This is a major milestone in our efforts to expand Australia’s submarine industrial base, promote opportunities for Australian businesses in the US and UK supply chains, and strengthen the resilience of our collective industrial capacity through AUKUS.
This is a practical step in Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarines and an investment in Australian manufacturing.
