H&b Defence Pty Ltd

What H&b Defence Pty Ltd does

H&B Defence Pty Ltd is a Canberra-headquartered joint venture established in June 2024 by HII (NYSE: HII) and Babcock International Group PLC to support Australia's inaugural nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS Pillar 1. The company consolidates world-leading nuclear submarine expertise from HII, which has delivered 60+ US Navy nuclear submarines over four decades, and Babcock, which sustains 100% of the UK Royal Navy submarine fleet and operates the UK's only licensed facility for refitting, refuelling and defueling nuclear submarines. Operations are concentrated in Canberra (headquarters) and Perth/Henderson (Western Australia), with a workforce of 11-50 employees led by inaugural Managing Director Tim Brown AM.

The company delivers an integrated portfolio across five functional lines: workforce and skilling, supply chain qualification, nuclear infrastructure design and build, submarine sustainment, and nuclear decommissioning and disposal. Its flagship offering is the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Pilot Program, a proprietary national qualification framework that identifies, assesses, and qualifies Australian businesses to meet US and UK naval nuclear standards for participation in Virginia-class construction at Newport News Shipbuilding and Astute-class sustainment. AUSSQ was launched in May 2025 and has since received 430+ expressions of interest, with 13 Australian businesses formally qualified to US naval nuclear standards to date. Complementary offerings include the Naval Nuclear Foundations: Technology and Safety micro-credential course delivered with Curtin University (commencing March 2026) and infrastructure, sustainment, and decommissioning advisory services leveraging combined HII/Babcock experience of 160+ years across nuclear engineering, operations, safety and regulatory compliance.

H&B Defence operates a government-contract-driven professional services model, with the Australian Submarine Agency serving as the anchor customer under multi-year contracts initially valued at A$9.6M and expanded through successive extensions to approximately A$19-21M by early 2026. Secondary revenue streams include nuclear sustainment consulting, infrastructure advisory, and Curtin-partnered training micro-credentials, supplemented by co-investment from the Western Australian Government (Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grant Program) and a Victorian Government MOU signed in November 2025. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales to government with channel partnerships through parent companies HII and Babcock, plus a growing ecosystem of university alliances (AUKUS Workforce Alliance, Advanced Skills Alliance, Curtin) and a Bechtel Australia MOU, all enabling reach-back into live US and UK nuclear submarine enterprises.

Name

H&b Defence Pty Ltd

Legal name

H&B Defence

Website

https://hbdefence.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

H&B Defence is a 2024 joint venture between HII and Babcock International that delivers workforce, supply chain qualification, infrastructure, sustainment, and disposal services for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS Pillar 1.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Submarine Support Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Submarine Manufacturing (SSN/SSK/SSBN) (IMAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Submarine Integration, Testing, Trials & Commissioning Services (IMAJAOAN), Submarine Modernization, Refuel/Overhaul & Depot Maintenance (MRO) (IMAJAOAO), Component Qualification, Testing & Certification (Seismic, Environmental, EMI/EMC) (EUAKADAO), Submarine Systems & Components (Pressure Hull, Ballast, Life Support) (IMABAKAL)

Keywords

• Nuclear submarine sustainment
• Submarine supplier qualification
• Nuclear workforce training
• Defence supply chain services
• Nuclear infrastructure consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts - Supply Chain Services: H&B Defence secures contracts from the Australian Government through the Australian Submarine Agency to deliver the AUSSQ Pilot Program, which qualifiers and uplifts Australian suppliers for nuclear submarine supply chains. Initial contract value A$9.6M with program expansions reaching A$19M total investment.
2. Nuclear Sustainment Consulting: Advisory and consulting services supporting Australia's development of nuclear infrastructure, workforce capabilities, and sustainment expertise for nuclear-powered submarines.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

H&B Defence is a joint venture between HII (US) and Babcock International (UK) that delivers workforce development, supply chain qualification, nuclear infrastructure design and build, submarine sustainment, and decommissioning and disposal services to support Australia's inaugural nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS Pillar 1. Its flagship offering is the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Program, which qualifies Australian businesses to US and UK naval nuclear standards, complemented by nuclear training micro-credentials and advisory services drawing on the parent companies' combined 160+ years of nuclear submarine experience.

Product overview

H&B Defence is a joint venture between HII (US) and Babcock (UK), established in June 2024 and headquartered in Canberra, Australia. The company operates as a unified services enterprise offering a coordinated portfolio of capabilities to support Australia's inaugural nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS Pillar 1. The core offerings include the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Program for supply chain qualification, nuclear training micro-credentials delivered with Curtin University, workforce and skilling services through the AUKUS Workforce Alliance, and specialized services in infrastructure, sustainment, and decommissioning. All services leverage combined expertise from Australia's parent companies spanning nuclear submarine operations across the US, UK, and Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AUSSQ (Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification): National qualification program enabling Australian businesses to meet US and UK naval nuclear standards for submarine supply chains under AUKUS.

Products and services

• Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Program A national qualification program that identifies, assesses, and qualifies Australian businesses to meet US and UK naval nuclear standards for participation in Virginia-class submarine construction and Astute-class sustainment under the AUKUS trilateral security partnership. Delivered for the Australian Submarine Agency.
• Naval Nuclear Foundations: Technology and Safety Micro-credential A two-day accredited training course delivered in partnership with Curtin University, providing foundational knowledge of naval nuclear propulsion, safety culture, quality assurance, risk management, and nuclear safety regulations for engineers and defence industry professionals supporting Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.
• Workforce and Skilling Services Programs to recruit, induct, train, and develop nuclear-competent professionals required to support Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise, including partnerships with universities under the AUKUS Workforce Alliance.
• Nuclear Infrastructure Services Expertise supporting the design and construction of IAEA-accredited nuclear-standard facilities for Australia's nuclear submarine program, drawing on HII and Babcock's experience in UK and US nuclear infrastructure.
• Nuclear Sustainment Services Services to establish Australian nuclear submarine sustainment capability ready, safe and accredited to required nuclear standards, including engineering, maintenance, training, supply chain and support resources for Virginia and Astute class submarines.
• Nuclear Decommissioning and Disposal Services End-of-life disposal services and nuclear waste management capabilities leveraging HII's US Department of Energy experience and Babcock's operation of the UK's only licensed facility for refitting, refuelling and defueling nuclear submarines.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Advanced Skills AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2026Academic partnership including Cranfield University, King's College London, Imperial College London, University of Southampton, and University of Strathclyde (UK) with Australian AUKUS Workforce Alliance universities to drive cutting-edge research and skills development for AUKUS Pillar 1.
• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Partnership to deliver nuclear fundamentals micro-credential courses beginning March 2026. Course will be taught by H&B Defence's international team of certified nuclear professionals from HII and Babcock, accredited as a university micro-credential.
• Victorian GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025MOU signed at Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition to build skilled workforce and strengthen Victoria's defence supply chain. Includes supply chain uplift programs, defence-focused skills development, and STEM talent pipeline expansion.
• Australian Submarine AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2025Australian Government agency overseeing the nation's submarine program. Partnered with HII through H&B Defence to deliver the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Pilot Program, facilitating Australian industry integration into US nuclear submarine supply chains.
• Western Australian GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Government providing funding through Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grant Program to support nuclear micro-credential courses and workforce development for AUKUS readiness in Western Australia.
• HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2024HII is America's largest shipbuilder and the leading designer, builder, maintainer, and sustainer of US Navy nuclear-powered submarines with over 60 submarines delivered in four decades. HII combined with Babcock to form H&B Defence as a joint venture to support Australia's AUKUS nuclear submarine program.
• Babcock International GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2024Babcock sustains 100% of the UK Royal Navy submarine fleet and owns/operates the UK's only licensed facility for refitting, refuelling and defueling nuclear submarines. Partnered with HII to form H&B Defence joint venture for Australia's AUKUS program.
• AUKUS Workforce Alliance (AWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Tri-lateral alliance with University of Adelaide, Curtin University, and University of NSW committed to preparing a skilled workforce for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise under AUKUS Pillar 1. Combines expertise from Australia, UK and US.
• Bechtel AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024MOU signed to identify opportunities to support Australia's Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program. Collaboration brings together complementary skills in skilled workforce development, nuclear infrastructure design and build, submarine defueling and decommissioning, and nuclear waste management.
• Henderson AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern Australian defence industry alliance collaborating with H&B Defence and Curtin University on nuclear foundation training courses, ensuring SME members have opportunities to build capability for AUKUS supply chain participation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Raytheon Australia: Australian defence prime providing systems integration, sustainment, and training across naval, aerospace, and land domains. Broad incumbent peer with overlapping defence services capabilities and Australian government contract delivery experience.
• Babcock International Group: Parent company that sustains 100% of UK Royal Navy submarine fleet and operates the UK's only licensed facility for refitting, refuelling and defueling nuclear submarines. Co-owner of H&B Defence and direct peer providing UK nuclear submarine sustainment expertise to AUKUS.
• Thales Australia: Major Australian defence prime with sonar, combat management systems, and sustainment capabilities across naval and submarine platforms. Broad incumbent peer with overlapping workforce and sustainment service offerings to Australian Defence.
• BAE Systems Australia: Australian arm of BAE Systems engaged in naval shipbuilding, sustainment, and aerospace defence programs. Broad incumbent peer delivering submarine and surface ship sustainment services to the Australian Defence Force with overlapping capability scope.
• Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII): Parent company and America's largest military shipbuilder, builder and sustainer of US Navy nuclear-powered submarines with 60+ delivered. Direct peer as co-owner of H&B Defence and provider of US nuclear submarine enterprise reach-back for AUKUS workforce and supply chain integration.
• Lockheed Martin Australia: Australian subsidiary of Lockheed Martin providing defence systems, sustainment, and training across multiple platforms. Broad incumbent peer with adjacent capabilities in defence industrial base development and government contract delivery.

Regional players

• Serco Australia: Australian defence and essential services contractor delivering naval support, training, and asset management services. Regional peer with comparable workforce services and government contract delivery model, though focused on different capability domains than nuclear submarine sustainment.

Direct peers

• Naval Group Australia: Australian arm of Naval Group (now part of NAVAL GROUP/naval Group Australia) involved in submarine design and construction for Australia's future SSN-AUKUS program. Direct peer in Australian submarine enterprise with overlapping scope on SSN-AUKUS industrial base development.
• ASC Pty Ltd: Australian submarine builder and sustainer responsible for Collins-class submarine maintenance at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. Direct peer in Australian submarine sustainment services, operating in the same Henderson/Perth footprint as H&B Defence's WA operations.

Others

• Bechtel Australia: Infrastructure partner under MOU to support Australia's Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program with complementary skills in workforce development, nuclear infrastructure design and build, and decommissioning. Ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, with collaborative rather than competing positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hbdefence/?originalSubdomain=au

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

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 H&b Defence Pty Ltd