Hofmann Engineering wins US Navy RFQ for aircraft carriers

Perth-based Hofmann Engineering has received a Request for Quotation from US company Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding to supply components for the construction of US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It could begin supplying components as early as 2026. This brings the company one step closer to breaking into the US nuclear-powered submarine market, according to a Western Australian Government statement

Hofmann Engineering is the first business in Australia to be given the green light to provide parts for strategic US naval assets thanks to a nation-leading WA Government-supported program, the statement continues.

It means the Bassendean business is on track to being able to supply components for Virginia-class submarines, which will support the creation of local jobs and strengthen Australia’s relationship with the US through its world-class industries.

$300,000 in WA Government funding was provided last year to HII, the world’s biggest nuclear-powered submarine builder, to deliver the Supplier Capability Uplift Program. The initiative was later incorporated into the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) program, executed by H&B Defence, a joint venture between HII and Babcock.

The program has helped four other WA  businesses advance towards achieving strict the US approvals: Dobbie; Marine Technicians Australia; Pressure Dynamics; and Veem. And a further 12 Australian companies supplying casting, forgings and precision machining are also working with H&B Defence. In late-2025 AUSSQ validations for Air and Gas flasks and fabricated parts  should launch, followed by composites, GRP, joinery and circuit boards. Several hundred businesses across Australia have registered their export interest with H&B Defence, the company says.

HII is one of only two builders of the Virginia-class submarine, the boat Australia is set to acquire under the AUKUS partnership in 2032.

“I want to grow WA’s defence sector to become the State’s second largest industry after mining, creating jobs for generations and diversifying our economy beyond the resources sector,” said Paul Papalia, WA’s Defence Industries Minister. “WA’s defence industry has the expertise to deepen Australia’s strategic partnership with the US. Our skilled local workforce can accelerate the construction of Virginia-class submarines – benefiting both WA and our AUKUS allies.”

“This collaboration reflects the strength of Australia’s industrial capability and the value of working together on innovative solutions,” said Erich Hofmann, managing director of Hofmann Engineering. “We remain committed to strengthening the Australia–US partnership by advancing sovereign capability, building industrial resilience, and providing long-term support to undersea defence programs.”

Localising the manufacture of high-end products in WA’s defence industry is key to diversifying the economy and creating jobs for generations to come.

A diversified engineering company, Hofmann Engineering started in Perth in 1969 and has grown into an advanced engineering supplier to the local and global mining, transport and defence sectors.