Aust + NZ Defence Directory 2021-22

AUSTRALIAN + NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DIRECTORY 2021/22 INDUSTRY GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS & GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THE NATION BUILD

TRANSFERRING TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE NEW SOVEREIGN SUBMARINE AND MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES A ustralia’s Future Submarine Program is a unique and national endeavour. Not only will it result in the Royal Australian Navy receiving a step-change in submarine capability at sea, the program is also expanding existing supply chains to help transform wider advanced manufacturing capabilities. Submarines are the most complex machines on Earth. With around a million different components, and built to operate in extremely challenging environments, the level of sophistication needed to design and build them is immense. It is a challenge Australian workers and industry are meeting. Naval Group has a long history of building submarines both in France, and around the world. After a century in that business, Naval Group has accrued a level of knowledge and experience which is being made available to Australia through a historic partnership that will last for decades to come. Our teams have moved swiftly since the signing of the Strategic Partnering Agreement in 2019. A new and modern shipyard is under construction at Osborne in South Australia by program partner Australian Naval Infrastructure. It will be a custom-designed facility to maximise build efficiency. Design milestones are being reached to produce the most advanced conventionally-powered sub- marine in the world, and utilising Naval Group’s distinguishing stealth technology. Preparations are in place for the start of work on a hull qualification section in just a few short years. But among the most critical activities Naval Group is undertaking is our engagement with local businesses around Australia to build new and sovereign submarine supply chains. These are strong relationships, many of which have the capacity to last through the long-term construction phase as we work together to build the expertise and physical components to support the Attack Class. The opportunities for Australian business to participate in this program are significant, and diverse.

John Davis Chief Executive Officer Naval Group Australia

They include services, as well as manufactured goods, and range from ready-made to highly sophisticated items which themselves will require second- ary supply chains to build and maintain. In the past year, we have announced more than $1 billion in opportunities for Australian businesses. This program will last for decades to come, meaning the scale of those opportunities will only grow. The $900 million local manufacturing package we announced last year is a leading example of transfer of technology in action. This package includes 23 mission critical and complex items which will go into the Attack Class submarines, and be vital to their performance for Australia. Those items include but are not limited to the steering gear, weapons handling system, main shaft line, air induction mast, bridge deck, heat exchangers and bulkhead doors. That will include getting Australians unprecedented access to Naval Group design and build experts and facilities in France, while providing the neces- sary support on the ground here in Australia to help guide and mentor the Australian suppliers. This will allow for the quickest transfer of technology and also provide Australian industry with the confidence to meet the complexities of the requirements. This is the creation of sovereign capability in action. Due to the investment in the Future Submarine Program, there will be new jobs and knowledge that can have significant multiplier effects. The businesses that learn how to make these items will become the living examples of sovereign capability. They may find new insights which lead to further business diversification. We are working with applicant businesses, in a collaborative dialogue, to help them understand what they need to deliver the items included in the local manufacturing package, and assisting them to add the capabilities that are required to be involved and grow their own technological capacities. This is building human capital at the same time as the physical submarine equipment. Common technology is another area of important engagement, where significant numbers of contracts have already been issued. This allows for local suppliers to contribute items which they often already have the capability to manufacture, for qualification and inclusion in the Attack Class. We have also issued a call for more than $100 million in tools and equipment to fit out the Osborne shipyard, and continue to regularly list new work packages targeted to Australian suppliers. That is occurring in addition to large capitol equipment already procured for construction yard activity. Join the more than 2000 Australian businesses that have already signed up to the Industry Capability Network Naval Group portal to get immediate updates of the coming opportunities. As many have observed, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought greater public understanding and awareness to the concept of sovereign capability. It is something our industries have long seen the value of. In times of disruption, self-reliance and resilience take on an enhanced value. This is the bold vision that distinguishes the Future Submarine program. It will produce the critical kit needed to help secure Australia for decades to come. That is, an advanced submarine capability built for modern times and specialised for Australia’s unique place in the world. But the program is also putting in place the fundamental infrastructure needed to achieve that, by creating skills and leveraging from Naval Group’s significant global industry experience. And, together, we can create a long-lived legacy of innovation and sovereign capability for Australia.

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