Australian batteries to be used in AUKUS Subs

Adelaide-based submarine battery manufacturer PMB Defence is partnering with BAE Systems in the United Kingdom to enable the potential integration of its advanced nickel-zinc battery system into the design of the future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS submarines. PMB will also supply battery technology for other Royal Navy submarines, according to a Defence statement.

PMB produces the main storage batteries for the Collins-class submarines which have been in operation with the Royal Australian Navy since 1996. If successful through the design phase, it is expected the batteries for the UK submarines would be built at PMB’s facility in South Australia, supporting a sovereign, local workforce.

The contracts between PMB and BAE are valued in excess of $34 million. But Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defence Industry, believes the final value of this contract could be more than double that amount.

“This strategic contract reinforces the fact that Aussies are world leaders when it comes to defence technology,” he added. “Australian industry is our greatest strategic asset. The contract for the AUKUS design, which comes on the back of work PMB has secured for other Royal Navy submarines, will create dozens of new well-paid high-skilled jobs for locals, on top the hundreds at BAE and ASC that AUKUS has already delivered.

“The Albanese Government is committed to making it easier for Australian industry to tap into a multi-billion-dollar, multi-decade opportunity.”

This is a significant milestone in the AUKUS partnership, Defence says, and underscores the importance of collaboration across the Australian and UK industrial bases in delivering future submarine capability. It follows extensive collaboration between the Australian Submarine Agency, PMB Defence, and UK Ministry of Defence stakeholders, and has accelerated entry of Australian products into UK and US submarine supply chains.

The future SSN-AUKUS submarines are being developed trilaterally, based on the UK’s next generation design that incorporates technology from all three nations, including the USA, such as propulsion plant systems and components, a common vertical launch system and conventional weapons. The three AUKUS partners will also develop a joint combat system, as an expansion of the existing US-Australian combat system.