HIFraser becomes first Australian company qualified for Virginia-class supply chain

Adelaide-based ASC, together with American submarine manufacturers General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding, has announced that Warriewood, NSW-based HIFraser is the first Australian business to qualify for the Virginia-class submarine supply chain through a gateway program enabled by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).

To accelerate the integration of Australian businesses into the Virginia-class submarine supply chain and support construction of Virginia-class submarines in the United States, the US Government and ASA established the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) program.

In March 2025, the Australian Government released Australia’s AUKUS Submarine Industry Strategy, which identifies five lines of implementation effort including “integrating into UK and US supply chains through qualification of Australian suppliers”. The DIVQ program is a key activity under the Strategy.

“HIFraser’s achievement is a significant milestone for Australian industry and demonstrates the capability and quality we can deliver to the AUKUS partnership,” said Stuart Whiley, CEO of ASC, congratulating HIFraser. “Through DIVQ, we are opening doors for Australian businesses to participate in one of the most advanced defence programs in the world, creating opportunities that will endure for decades.”

In March 2024, ASC was selected as the Australian government’s Sovereign Submarine Partner to sustain and, together with BAE Systems, jointly build the SSN-AUKUS submarine at Osborne.

“By meeting stringent qualification standards, we reinforce our commitment to excellence in critical systems, ensuring our expertise delivers lasting value across the AUKUS supply chain,” said Debora Fortkamp, Chief Strategy Officer of HIFraser

Through DIVQ, ASC is working with an Australian-based team from General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding to fast-track qualification for Australian businesses to supply parts for the world-class Virginia class submarines, including valves, mechanical assemblies, castings, pipe fittings, machined parts, and electrical components.

HIFraser is the first Australian business to achieve qualification by meeting the rigorous engineering, quality, and security benchmarks demanded by the United States. This enables HIFraser to compete for contracts to supply a range of valves for the nuclear-powered submarines.

Several other Australian businesses are in the final stages of qualification under DIVQ which will allow them to join HIFraser and compete for contracts to supply into the Virginia class submarine program.

Building on these early successes, ASA and ASC are working with the US and UK to establish additional DIVQ projects. These will enable Australian industry to provide parts, repairs and services across all three AUKUS partners.