The supplier development initiatives include state-led Supplier Capability Uplift Programs, which will feed into the new Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) program, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on March 6, 2025.
Cullen Glass, Vice President of supply chain management for HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding; Michael Lempke, President of the global security group at HII’s Mission Technologies division; and Eric Chewning, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Development for HII, presented certificates to:
- Century Engineering (South Australia)
- MacTaggart Scott Australia (South Australia)
- Hofmann Engineering (Western Australia)
- Levett Engineering (South Australia)
- VEEM Ltd. (Western Australia)
The supplier identification number signifies that, upon full certification through the AUSSQ process, these companies are qualified to participate in the NNS supply chain in support of nuclear-powered submarine construction.
Also in attendance were Rear Adm. Ian Murray, Australian Defence attaché; Linda Dawson, Deputy Director General for Industry, Science and Innovation, Western Australian Government; and Sir Nick Hine, Executive Director of H&B Defence and former second sea lord of the Royal Navy.
This milestone reflects deepening industrial integration under the AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. HII’s work, under contract with the Australian Government, supports the development of sovereign industrial capabilities and enables Australian companies to enter US defense supply chains.
