The Albanese Government is accelerating Australia’s role in the AUKUS partnership with a significant announcement regarding HIFraser, the first Australian company qualified to supply parts for US Virginia-class submarines. This milestone, achieved through the government-funded Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program (DIVQ), supports advanced Australian manufacturing and high-value job creation while strengthening national security.
Less than 12 months after being awarded a first contract, HIFraser is now qualified to supply three types of valves plus pipe fittings for the construction and sustainment of US submarine programs. The DIVQ initiative forms the core of the AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy aimed at fast-tracking the integration of Australian products into US and UK submarine supply chains.
Today’s announcement coincides with the first-ever US nuclear-powered submarine maintenance period in Australia conducted without a US support ship. The USS Vermont is in maintenance at HMAS Stirling, a task being managed solely by Australian, US, and UK onshore teams. Royal Australian Navy personnel and ASC are working side by side with their US counterparts on more than 160 maintenance activities using a world-first mobile pure water plant designed by Western Australian companies MAK Water and Diverse Welding. As well, Australian officers and sailors are embedded within the USS Vermont’s crew, supporting maintenance and routine operations.
These achievements underscore the extraordinary opportunities AUKUS is generating for Australian industry and defense personnel moving towards Australia’s future capacity to own, operate, and maintain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
The Albanese Government is investing $8 billion in the upgrading of HMAS Stirling to support Submarine Rotational Force West starting in 2027. This is forecasted to be a program of around 20,000 direct jobs across Australia in the next 30 years, which is underpinned by extensive training, scholarships, and industry partnerships to achieve a highly skilled nuclear-powered submarine workforce.
