The Australian Submarine Agency has entered into a contract with Australian steel manufacturer, Bisalloy Steels, for the qualification of Australian steel for use on Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines.
The $15 million contract will ensure that Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines built at Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia, subject to a comprehensive qualification process.
The comprehensive qualification process, involving more than 4,500 tests, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.
“The qualification of Australian steel is an important step in the Australian Government’s strategy for acquiring state-of-the-art conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.
“The strength and quality of Australian steel will keep Australian submariners safe in the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines for decades to come, just as it does today on our Collins Class submarines.
“Crucially, this contract will support jobs in an industry which is not only of strategic importance but also a source of innovation and employment, and part of the Australian fabric.”
Bisalloy Steels will perform the advanced heat treatment process on the raw plate steel to produce high grade submarine pressure hull steel. The raw plate steel will be supplied by another Australian company, BlueScope.
The steel produced under this contract will also be used to develop the welding procedures, and used in early production demonstration activities occurring ahead of the commencement of construction of Australia’s first SSN-AUKUS submarine later this decade.