What we do

H&B Defence draws upon unparalleled expertise and capabilities in:

H&B Defence brings together an available workforce in Australia that is committed to supporting the Australian Government to deliver on its nuclear-related priorities. This is complemented by expertise in the UK and USA.

The challenge

Delivering AUKUS through the optimal pathway requires a highly skilled workforce across Australia, the UK and US, with 8,500+ direct jobs in Australia at its peak. This is more than a talent attraction and retention challenge – it is about establishing a nuclear mindset to underpin all that we do.

The value of H&B Defence

Through our partnership with the AUKUS Workforce Alliance, we aim to develop a program to recruit, induct, train and develop a substantial portion of the nuclear competent group of professionals required to support the Australian nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.

H&B Defence is uniquely positioned to create pathways to rapidly grow a Nuclear Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (NSQEP) workforce in Australia.

Australia’s acquisition, operation, and disposal of nuclear-powered submarines requires the development and sustainment of nuclear infrastructure.

The challenge

The design and construction of IAEA-accredited (International Atomic Energy Agency) facilities that are fit for purpose for the demands of the AUKUS optimal pathway is a critical enabler to Australia’s nuclear submarine journey.

The value of H&B Defence

H&B’s parent companies have significant experience in the UK and US to support the design of Australian nuclear-standard facilities.

HII is one of two designers and builders of nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy, producing both the Virginia-class and Columbia-class nuclear submarines. In addition, HII manages and operates U.S. Department of Energy sites and facilities in compliance with all requirements, building on more than 60 years of U.S. Navy nuclear expertise as an owner/operator of manufacturing facilities.

Currently, Babcock sustains 100 per cent of the UK’s Royal Navy submarine fleet, including delivering through-life support and life extension of Vanguard, Trafalgar, and Astute classes. Babcock owns and manages the infrastructure at two of the UK’s three nuclear bases, HM Naval Base Devonport and HM Naval Base Clyde.

H&B Defence draws upon HII and Babcock’s 100+ years of combined experience of nuclear safety and submarine sustainment; including sustaining of the U.S. and Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines and owning and operating the U.S. and UK’s only nuclear licensed facility for nuclear submarines.

The challenge

Establishing an Australian nuclear submarine sustainment capability that is ready, safe and accredited to the required nuclear standards and capable of effectively and efficiently assuring SSN availability with sovereign capability control.

The value of H&B Defence

H&B Defence can de-risk and assure the development of nation’s optimal pathway of nuclear sustainment capability by leveraging our expertise and experience within:

Virginia and Astute Class sustainment including engineering, maintenance, training, supply chain and support resources
Supply chain development within Australia, the UK and US
Nuclear standards for sustainment with strong WHSE and quality standards

Through decades of nuclear experience and expertise, H&B Defence ensures early planning of disposal for responsible ownership.

The challenge

Disposal of nuclear waste is a critical component of the ownership of an SSN capability.

The value of H&B Defence

HII supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s national security mission through the management and operation of its sites, as well as the safe clean-up of legacy waste across the country.

Babcock owns and operates the UK’s only licensed facility for refitting, refuelling and defueling nuclear submarines.

H&B Defence is providing Australian businesses with the insight, expertise, and strategic support they need to play a lasting and influential role in building a resilient, future-ready trilateral AUKUS supply chain.

The challenge

The scale and complexity of the AUKUS enterprise requires a high-integrity, skilled, and dependable supply chain capable of delivering sovereign capability at meaningful volume. Australia stands poised to play a pivotal role in reinforcing the submarine industrial base. Australian industry support is essential to the long-term success and resilience of the trilateral AUKUS partnership

The value of H&B Defence

H&B Defence has secured a contract to bolster Australia’s supply chain capabilities for the global AUKUS enterprise through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program (AUSSQ). Owned by two of the largest defence nuclear prime organisations with end-to-end expertise in nuclear-powered submarine operations, H&B Defence is uniquely positioned as the Australian entity to accelerate the development of critical sovereign capability across every facet of this strategic initiative.

By expanding and qualifying Australian suppliers, H&B Defence will enable a resilient trilateral AUKUS supply chain—one capable of delivering at scale, with integrity, and on time. AUSSQ will fuel defence-readiness, catalyse economic growth, and generate high-value jobs across Australia’s defence sector, embedding Australian innovation and reliability into the future of international security.