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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Defence Supplier Uplift Program

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    This program is a partnership between the South Australian Government and industry to support local defence suppliers to export parts to the US and or UK for shipbuilding and submarine builds.

    Following a successful pilot in 2024 with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the largest US naval shipbuilder, this program is being expanded, with the State Government investing an additional $3.3 million over the next two years. This will support more South Australian businesses to enter US and UK naval shipbuilding supply chains.

    The construction of Australia’s new SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine at Osborne will have significant benefits for South Australia, across employment, industry and infrastructure. This program will help to build capabilities locally, that can respond to local and international demand.

    How to get involved

    Further details about opportunities to participate will be available soon.

    Meanwhile, companies interested in opportunities in defence supply chains can register their interest via the federal AUSSQ (HII) and ASC supplier portals run by DSD (ICN SA).

    SUCCESS STORIES

    Pilot program with US naval shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

    A $1 million pilot program delivered in partnership between the South Australian Government and US naval shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is preparing South Australian manufacturing businesses to enter global defence industry supply chains.

    In 2025, five South Australian-based companies were awarded almost $400,000 in matched grant funding, supporting them to invest in the capabilities required to participate in the lucrative supply chain for US naval shipbuilding programs.

    Participating businesses were:

    • MacTaggart Scott Australia
    • Levett Engineering
    • Century Engineering
    • H-E Parts International Mining Solutions
    • McKechnie Iron Foundry.

    The program was designed to uplift the capability of South Australian SMEs to compete for work on the US Virginia Class Submarine and other naval shipbuilding programs.