ASC and BAE Systems, Australia’s sovereign submarine partners, have announced a renewed and jointly managed Industry Capability Network (ICN) Portal aimed at integrating Australian businesses into the supply chain of the country’s ambitious Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program (NPS).
Taken over from the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), this central digital platform provides a single point of access for Australian companies to register their interest in the program, showcase their capabilities, and access future business opportunities.
How Will the ICN Portal Open New Doors for SMEs?
The joint management by ASC and BAE Systems ensures continuity for the hundreds of companies already registered, while also creating new avenues for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to qualify for major work packages in what is one of the most complex industrial programs in Australia’s history.
ASC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Stuart Whiley stated: “This portal is a gateway for Australian industry to play a direct role in our nation’s nuclear-powered submarines. By working with our partners at BAE Systems, we are providing suppliers with a clear, simple, and seamless pathway to participate in the program and become part of Australia’s sovereign submarine capability.”
The SSN-AUKUS Initiative and the Role of the Supply Chain
The launch of the portal is seen as a critical step in supporting the SSN-AUKUS initiative, which aims to position Australia within global submarine supply chains in terms of technology and capability.
Craig Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia, emphasized that Australian industry would be the “backbone” of the initiative, stating: “The transfer of the ICN Portal enables Australian businesses to stay connected with a single registration and to be involved as opportunities expand; this increases their confidence to invest in the skills, standards, and innovation required to succeed in global submarine supply chains.”
The ICN Portal will be an important tool in strengthening national industrial capability and supporting Australia’s sovereign submarine capacity in the long term.
