PMB Defence

What PMB Defence does

PMB Defence Pty Ltd is a privately held Australian defence manufacturer founded in 1989 (originally as Pacific Marine Batteries) and headquartered in a purpose-built facility at the Osborne Naval Shipbuilding precinct in South Australia. The company designs, manufactures and supports Main Storage Battery (MSB) systems for military submarines, with a product portfolio spanning lead-acid, nickel-zinc and lithium-ion chemistries, complemented by Battery Management Systems, cooling and agitation equipment, and lifecycle in-service support. PMB serves as the OEM supplier of submarine batteries to the Royal Australian Navy (Collins Class since 1989, with production running through 2040), the Royal Canadian Navy (Victoria Class), the UK Ministry of Defence (nuclear submarine qualification programme), the Royal Swedish Navy (next-generation submarines via Saab), and the US Navy (initial trials via Penn State University). The company has consolidated the EnerSys submarine battery business and Varta's Collins-class battery IP, operates a wholly-owned UK subsidiary (PMB Battery Technologies UK LTD), and is positioning itself as the dedicated submarine battery tier within the AUKUS industrial base, with a committed Canadian manufacturing facility tied to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.

PMB operates a direct B2G/B2B enterprise sales model, winning multi-year contracts via competitive defence tenders and prime-contractor partnerships (TKMS, Saab, Naval Group). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of MSB systems, supplemented by professional services (engineering technical support, maintenance, training, obsolescence management, R&D and testing) and IP/licensing arrangements. Contract values run into the tens of millions of AUD per programme (e.g., £13M/A$25M UK MoD contract, August 2024), with long sales cycles aligned to defence procurement timelines and sole-source qualifications on incumbent submarine classes creating high revenue stickiness. Headcount has grown from approximately 70 to 130+ over three years, with a $35M purpose-built facility opened in March 2023 representing the company's primary capacity backbone for both Australian production and international export.

Name

PMB Defence

Legal name

PMB Defence Pty Ltd

Website

https://pmbdefence.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PMB Defence is a privately held Australian manufacturer of submarine main storage battery systems (lead-acid, nickel-zinc and lithium-ion), serving the Royal Australian Navy, UK MoD, Royal Canadian Navy, Swedish Navy and US Navy as the dedicated battery tier within the AUKUS supply chain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Submarine Battery Systems

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

akta.pro primary industry

Submarine Energy Storage & Power Distribution Manufacturing (Batteries, Switchboards, Converters) (IMAJAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military Submarine Manufacturing (Attack, Ballistic Missile, Special Mission) (IMAJAOAA)

Keywords

• Submarine battery systems
• Naval energy storage
• Defense battery manufacturing
• Marine battery solutions
• Military submarine batteries

Headquarters

HQ city

Ebbw Vale

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Submarine Battery Systems: Design, manufacture, and supply of Main Storage Batteries for submarines including lead-acid, nickel-zinc, and lithium-ion technologies. Primary revenue driver with contracts from multiple navies globally.
2. In-Service Support & Technical Services: Comprehensive support including engineering technical support services, maintenance, operational advice, equipment inspections, data analytics, upgrades, stock item ownership, and obsolescence management.
3. Battery R&D and Testing Services: Research and development services for battery systems including testing and qualification programs for defense customers such as UK MoD and US Navy.
4. Intellectual Property Licensing: Licensing of acquired submarine battery IP including EnerSys submarine battery business and Varta Collins-class submarine battery intellectual property.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PMB Defence designs, manufactures, and supplies Main Storage Battery (MSB) systems for military submarines, offering lead-acid, nickel-zinc, and lithium-ion battery chemistries. The company provides full lifecycle support including R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and in-service support services. It serves naval forces in Australia (Collins Class), Canada (Victoria Class), the UK (nuclear submarines), Sweden (next generation), and the US Navy, with contracts awarded by defense ministries and submarine prime contractors.

Product overview

PMB Defence is a world leading manufacturer of submarine battery systems offering a portfolio of products and integrated services. The core offering comprises Main Storage Battery (MSB) Systems for submarines, available in three main technology variants: Lead-Acid, Nickel-Zinc, and Lithium-ion battery chemistries. These are supported by an integrated suite of capabilities combining Research and Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, and In-Service Support within one organisation. Ancillary offerings include Battery Management Systems (BMS), Cooling and Agitation Systems, Technical Support Services, and specialist Support and Test Equipment. The company serves multiple navies globally including Australia's Collins Class, Canada's Victoria Class, UK's nuclear submarines, and Sweden's next generation submarines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lead-Acid Submarine Battery Systems
• Nickel-Zinc Submarine Battery Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years continuous battery supply for Collins Class submarines since 1989
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AUKUS Partnership (BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, HII, Babcock, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025PMB actively involved in AUKUS submarine program supplying battery systems. Listed alongside major defense primes as active participant in supplying technology, systems, and infrastructure for Australian nuclear-powered submarine program.
• Invest Nova ScotiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025PMB Defence working closely with Invest Nova Scotia to establish submarine battery facility in Canada. Proactive approach ensures project positioned to move quickly into construction following program announcement.
• TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2025TKMS partnered with PMB for submarine batteries as part of TKMS bid for Canada's Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). PMB proposes to establish a submarine battery manufacturing facility in Canada with manufacturing, in-service support, engineering and R&D capabilities.
• Penn State University (US Navy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2025PMB awarded contract through Penn State University to provide products to US Navy for rigorous testing to assess suitability of batteries for US submarines. Represents PMB's first order from the United States.
• UK Ministry of DefencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2024PMB signed £13 million (A$25 million) contract with UK MoD to test and qualify cutting-edge battery system for UK's nuclear submarines. Continuation of partnership from initial 2019 contract. Battery system incorporates PMB's Nickel Zinc technology.
• Saab / Saab-KockumscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2020PMB contracted to supply main storage batteries to Saab for Sweden's next generation submarines. PMB has had a long collaborative relationship with Saab for lithium battery development. Contract supplements parallel development work with Saab for world-leading conventional submarines.
• Canadian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2020PMB contracted to supply submarine batteries to Canadian Government for Victoria Class submarines. Royal Canadian Navy operates four Victoria Class conventional submarines. Batteries manufactured at Osborne facility.
• Defence Science and Technology (DST) GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019R&D partnership for battery technology development including advanced battery chemistries and submarine applications.
• Swedish Government FMVminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Government-to-government R&D partnership through Saab-Kockums for lithium-ion submarine battery development.
• Australian Department of Defence (CTD Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2016$2.2 million Capability and Technology Demonstrator contract to demonstrate next generation submarine stealth mast concept for Collins and Future submarine classes. Funded by Department of Defence's Innovation program.
• ASC (Australian Submarine Corporation)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2013PMB selected by ASC to perform scheduled battery change in HMAS DECHAINEUX during Mid-Cycle Docking at Henderson WA. First time PMB performed battery installation/removal at customer site.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EnerSys: EnerSys is a global stored energy solutions manufacturer with a defense and submarine battery business that PMB acquired in 2020. EnerSys retains defense battery capabilities in other segments, and the two companies remain directly comparable in submarine battery technology, IP, and customer relationships.
• Saft (TotalEnergies): Saft is a French defense and industrial battery manufacturer (TotalEnergies subsidiary) that produces lithium-ion and other advanced battery systems for naval submarines, military vehicles and aerospace applications. It is a direct competitor to PMB in the submarine main storage battery market, supplying European and other allied navies.
• GS Yuasa: GS Yuasa is a Japanese battery manufacturer supplying submarine main storage batteries to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Comparable to PMB as a dedicated submarine battery supplier for a single national navy with multi-chemistry capability and long-term platform integration.
• Varta AG: Varta is a German battery manufacturer whose Collins-class submarine battery IP was acquired by PMB in 2020. Varta continues to operate in defense and industrial battery markets, making it a directly comparable submarine battery technology peer, particularly in German and European naval programs.
• Epsilor: Epsilor is an Israeli defense and military battery manufacturer producing lithium-ion battery systems for naval, armored vehicle and aerospace applications. It is comparable to PMB as a niche, high-reliability defense battery specialist competing for similar submarine and naval platform programs.

Broad incumbents

• Naval Group: Naval Group is the French state-owned submarine designer and builder (Barracuda-class SSN, Suffren-class) with PMB qualification through DCNS Global Supply Chain. As a major submarine prime, Naval Group is a comparable broad incumbent that sources and integrates submarine battery systems into its platforms.
• Saab Kockums: Saab Kockums is the Swedish submarine designer and builder (Gotland-class, A26) and is a PMB customer for Sweden's next-generation submarines. As a vertically integrated submarine prime with its own battery development history, Saab is a peer in the broader submarine platform value chain even though it is also a customer of PMB.
• TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems): TKMS is one of the world's leading submarine builders and a direct PMB partner for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. TKMS designs and builds Type 209/212/214 submarines and incorporates battery systems (historically sourced from European suppliers) into its platforms, making it both a prime customer and an adjacent incumbent in the submarine battery value chain.
• HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries): HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding and Newport News Shipbuilding divisions are the sole US submarine builders (Virginia-class and future SSN/SSBN platforms) and a member of the AUKUS industrial partnership alongside PMB. HII is a broad incumbent in the US submarine supply chain and a key counterpart as PMB's batteries enter US Navy trials.

Regional players

• ASC (now BAE Systems Australia): ASC operates the Osborne Naval Shipbuilding precinct alongside PMB and is the in-service support contractor for Collins Class submarines. It is a regional comparable in Australian submarine sustainment and a key operational partner that PMB works with on battery changes and maintenance at Henderson, Western Australia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://pmbdefence.com.au

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PMB Defence