Australian steel will first be used to build U.S. Navy submarines

Australian steel will be used for the first time to build American nuclear submarines like Virginia. General Dynamics Electric Boat ordered HY-80 steel plates at Bisalloy Steels worth about $2 million.

The ordered material will be used to build submarines intended for the US Navy. Delivery means that the Australian manufacturer first entered the supply chain Virginia program, implemented by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard.

Australian steel met US Navy requirements

The receipt of the contract preceded the qualification process conducted under the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification programme. Its aim is to prepare Australian companies to meet the requirements of US and British nuclear submarine construction programs.

Bisalloy Steels, BlueScope, Australian Submarine Agency and General Dynamics Electric Boat participated in the process. BlueScope is responsible for the production of steel plates, while Bisalloy conducts their special treatment and heat treatment necessary to achieve the parameters required for the construction of submarine hulls.

HY-80 steel is characterized by high strength and resistance to cracking. Before allowing it to be used as part of the OOP type construction Virginia the material has undergone tests confirming compliance with the requirements of the American shipbuilding industry.

First delivery under AUKUS cooperation

Although the value of the first order is not high, its importance is primarily to allow the Australian company to enter the US supply chain. Bisalloy Steels will be able to apply for further contracts related to both the construction of ships for the US Navy and the development of industrial parts of the program AUKUS.

Shipbuilding plants in the United States are currently seeking to increase the capacity of the submarine-building shipbuilding industry. The inclusion of Australian suppliers is intended to support this process and at the same time prepare local companies to participate in the future programme of Australian nuclear submarines.