HII is proud to welcome VEEM Ltd. as one of the first Western Australian companies to join in the new Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSS-Q) pilot program led by HII — a significant milestone in building a stronger, more integrated defense industrial base across the AUKUS alliance.
As the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S, HII is committed to qualifying and integrating Australian suppliers into the Virginia-class submarine program. VEEM’s decades of experience in precision casting for the Collins-class submarines makes the company well positioned to become part of the global Virginia-Class submarine supply chain.
HII was pleased to visit VEEM with the deputy prime minister, the Hon. Richard Marles, to discuss the AUSS-Q. He said “the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot program, which is being run by HII and which VEEM is now in the final stages of. HII is America’s largest naval ship builder and what it is doing through this program is qualifying Australian companies to participate in the supply chain of building U.S. Virginia-class submarines. And this really speaks to one of the great opportunities of AUKUS, because at its heart what AUKUS is seeking to do is to establish a seamless defence industrial base across the three countries.”
Tim Brow, vice president of operations for HII Nuclear Australia Pty Ltd., stated “The AUSS-Q program is designed to qualify and elevate suppliers to contribute to the U.S. Virginia-class submarine program. Companies like VEEM have already demonstrated their expertise, and this initiative will help integrate their capabilities into the broader supply chain. AUSS-Q is about uplifting already strong industrial capabilities and expanding those capabilities to support the long-term goals of AUKUS. I thank the government and the deputy prime minister for their support of this critical program, which will play a key role in Australia’s industrial mobilization under AUKUS.”
This is more than just a partnership — it’s a step toward a seamless defense supply network between Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. The AUSS-Q program is about unlocking new opportunities for Australian industry, creating high-skilled jobs, and strengthening the foundation for future AUKUS submarine production.
We are proud to partner with the Australian government on this vital work and pleased to work alongside VEEM and other Australian companies to enhance the capabilities of our allied forces. Thank you to the Australian government and industry leaders for their continued support in mobilizing a world-class defense industrial base.
