Australian steel companies Bisalloy and BlueScope sign a contract with Naval Group for SEA 1000
As part of Naval Group’s milestones for the SEA 1000 future submarine project, five months after the signing of the design and mobilisation contract on 30 September 2016 Defence and Naval Group were due to produce the Australian Steel Development and Qualification Plan (ASDQP). Although to date the ASDQP has not yet been delivered due to Australian steel companies implementing appropriate security arrangements, a good news has emerged today: Australian steel makers Bisalloy and BlueScope have signed contracts with Naval Group Australia to produce up to 250 tonnes of specialised steel for the 12 next generation submarines.
The two companies teamed-up and, over the past 12 months, worked together with Naval Group to develop and qualify the unique grade Australian steel required for the pressure hull of the Future Submarines.
This news is particularly welcome for two reasons. Firstly, as pointed out by Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne: “This will be the first time Australian industry has attempted to make this particular type of steel.” Secondly, as Minister Pyne also noted, this demonstrates the ongoing opportunities that are opening-up to the Australian industry in the context of the SEA 1000 project, this at a time where a number of people within and around the project in Australia have been voicing concerns as to the level of involvement Australian companies would be able to enjoy in the project.
