It’s hoped a new agreement struck between the state government and two of the world’s largest defence companies will enhance Victoria’s contribution to the AUKUS submarine program.
On Tuesday Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Minister Colin Brooks attended a signing ceremony at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney to formalise a memorandum of understanding with H&B Defence, a joint venture between the USA’s largest military ship builder Huntington Ingalls Industries and British defence engineering company Babcock International Group.
H&B Defence was established to support AUKUS, the joint Australia, UK and US nuclear-powered submarine agreement.
Under its deal with the state government, H&B Defence will support global market access for Victorian-businesses and attract new defence-related investments to grow the state’s industrial base.
The agreement will also support increased collaboration with education and training providers to pilot new defence-focused skills programs and support Victorian businesses to better comply with US and UK shipbuilding requirements.
“Victoria’s agreement with H&B Defence draws on the expertise of two of the largest defence companies in the world and will support our highly skilled defence workforce,” Mr Brooks said after signing the agreement.
“We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to further position the state’s workforce and supply chain to seize global defence manufacturing opportunities,” H&B Defence managing director Tim Brown added.
