In a significant move to bolster Australia’s sovereign naval capability, ASC and Austal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on additive manufacturing and workforce development. The agreement, signed at the 2025 Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, marks a strategic partnership to advance the use of cutting-edge 3D printing within Australia’s domestic maritime industry.
The collaboration is designed to strengthen Australia’s sovereign submarine and shipbuilding capacity. It will directly support the sustainment of the Collins Class submarines and the future operation of US-built Virginia Class submarines by developing a more resilient, domestic AM supply chain. A key focus will be on workforce development, ensuring the Australian naval industry has the necessary skilled personnel through targeted training and upskilling in these advanced manufacturing technologies.
Danielle Bull, ASC Chief Capability Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of additive manufacturing for the maritime sector, noting its ability to enable faster production, improve part performance, and provide greater flexibility in maintenance and sustainment. She stated the partnership would accelerate efforts to integrate and scale these capabilities into the broader Australian supply chain, ultimately improving resilience and reducing lead times for critical components.
Austal brings considerable expertise to the partnership through its US-based Advanced Technologies division, which operates the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). This centre is dedicated to qualifying and scaling AM parts for defence applications, including submarine platforms. Austal Chief Technology Officer, Glenn Callow, highlighted that the MoU builds on the company’s long-term investments in advanced manufacturing, dating back to early efforts in 2020 to align 3D printing with maritime demands.
Don Hairston, Austal USA’s Vice President for Submarines and Advanced Technologies, expressed excitement about the opportunity for the AM CoE to share its knowledge and lessons learned with Austal Australia and ASC. He stated that the collective goal is to push the boundaries to build faster, more resilient worldwide supply chains for defence. This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to enhance sovereign capability and ensure Australia remains at the forefront of maritime innovation and naval capability.
