The Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) and BAE Systems have launched a new Industry Capability Network (ICN) Portal to boost local industry participation in Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
The platform will expand opportunities for local companies, especially small and medium enterprises, to contribute to the country’s largest-ever defense manufacturing project.
Announced during the Indo Pacific 2025 exhibition in Sydney, the portal consolidates supplier information previously managed by the Australian Submarine Agency and is now jointly overseen by ASC and BAE Systems.
It serves as a single gateway for Australian businesses to register interest, showcase technical expertise, and qualify for roles in the AUKUS submarine enterprise.
The initiative ensures continuity for the hundreds of companies already registered while opening new pathways for others seeking to join the program.
BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Craig Lockhart added that the tool gives Australian businesses “the confidence to invest in the skills, standards and innovation needed to succeed in global submarine supply chains.”
Australia’s Expanding Submarine Program
The launch of the new ICN portal comes amid rapid progress in Australia’s multi-decade submarine effort under the AUKUS security partnership with the US and the UK.
Canberra confirmed that construction of the first SSN-AUKUS submarines will begin at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide by the early 2030s, with preliminary design work already underway between ASC, BAE Systems, and the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency.
Australian engineers have undergone training to support the transfer of design expertise and nuclear stewardship practices.
Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Navy has started preparations to receive three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s to bridge capability until the first SSN-AUKUS vessels enter service.
Canberra has also expanded investment in workforce development, committing nearly six billion Australian dollars ($3.9 billion) to create skilled defense industry jobs over the next decade.
The new industry portal aims to channel that workforce into the supply chains that will underpin the country’s future nuclear-powered fleet, a cornerstone of Australia’s evolving defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
