Two Australian companies — Dobbie and VEEM Ltd (ASX: VEE) —have earned Level 1 accreditation within the supply chain of HII’s Newport News Shipyard (NNS), the US’ largest naval shipbuilder.
Level 1 accreditation is one the highest tiers of supplier qualification in the US defence system, reserved only for vendors who meet exceptionally rigorous standards in quality assurance, traceability, and material control.
This milestone marks a major leap forward for Australia’s defence export capabilities and positions both firms to bid for contracts involving mission-critical parts for US submarines and other naval vessels.
Level 1 components, such as specialty valves, mechanical componentry and precision fittings, are essential to the integrity and safe operation of submarine, surface ships and nuclear propulsion systems.
Dobbie, a foundry and engineering machining specialist, and VEEM, a leader in marine propulsion and stabilisation technologies — both based in Perth — now join a select group of suppliers globally attaining Level 1 status.
Following exhaustive technical assessments conducted by H&B Defence and NNS Subject Matter Experts, both companies were validated and qualified through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Program (AUSSQ). This now qualifies them to manufacture Level 1-certified components and receive formal Requests for Quotation from NNS.
This announcement demonstrates the support Australian suppliers are receiving from the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and H&B Defence through participation in AUSSQ. The ASA and H&B Defence are working hard to ensure home-grown Australian businesses can complete for new opportunities in the US naval shipbuilding supply chain.
H&B Defence Managing Director Tim Brown said:
“Achieving Level 1 accreditation is more than a technical win—it’s a powerful signal of our growing role in strengthening global defence capability.”
“Through AUSSQ, we’re not simply qualifying suppliers—we’re laying the foundation for Australia’s future in sovereign submarine construction and advanced defence manufacturing. This is about building capability, resilience, and global credibility and delivering tangible outcomes for the Australian Submarine Agency and the Commonwealth.”
Dobbie General Manager Bruce Swan said:
“We thank H&B Defence for the trust and confidence they have placed in Dobbie. Achieving Level 1 status is a proud milestone for our foundry, one that not only strengthens our business through improved security and resilience, but also positions us to supply high-quality castings into US naval programs and advance Australia’s sovereign capability.”
VEEM Chief Executive Officer Trevor Raman said:
“Participating in AUSSQ has strengthened our position as a trusted partner within the defence sector, opening doors to new business opportunities and long-term collaboration with prime contractors. The rigorous qualification process has not only validated the technical capability of our products but also enhanced our reputation for reliability and performance.”
“In particular, as we have achieved Level 1 accreditation, this is a testament to the hard work and progress VEEM has made over many years as a defence contractor. Through this journey, we have gained valuable knowledge and insights that continue to elevate our operational standards and innovation capacity. Most importantly, our involvement enables us to play a meaningful role in supporting national security by contributing to a resilient and capable defence supply chain.”