Australian maritime manufacturer VEEM has been awarded a six-year, $65 million contract by ASC to continue its role in manufacturing and supplying critical components for Australia’s Collins Class submarines. This announcement, made on [date of announcement], marks a significant extension of VEEM’s longstanding partnership with ASC, which dates back to 1992.
Under the terms of the contract, VEEM will supply ball valves and actuators, as well as manufacture and supply bodies and connectors for these valves. The company will also produce a range of other non-ferrous castings, including strainer housings, mufflers, and main ballast tank valves. These components are essential for the operation and maintenance of the Collins Class submarines, which are among the most complex and sophisticated defense platforms in the world.
Strengthening a Long-Standing Partnership
Based in Western Australia, VEEM is recognized as the licensed manufacturer and service agent for Flowserve Flow Control (UK) Ltd’s defense 55 and 44 series valves. Stuart Whiley, ASC’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed his enthusiasm for the continued collaboration with VEEM. He emphasized the importance of precision and reliability in maintaining the operational capabilities of the submarines.
“The six Collins Class submarines are among the most complex and sophisticated defense platforms in operation today, and demand precision and reliability,” said Stuart Whiley. “VEEM has been a key partner to ASC since 1992, supporting our mission to deliver a safe, high-performance, and potent capability to the Royal Australian Navy.”
Whiley also highlighted ASC’s commitment to working with Australian businesses, which supports local jobs and contributes to building a sovereign industrial capability critical to national defense.
VEEM’s Role in National Defense
Mark Miocevich, VEEM’s Managing Director, welcomed the contract extension, acknowledging the collaborative efforts between VEEM and ASC. He noted the significance of their joint work in enhancing Australia’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
“It is important to recognize the enormous amount of effort that the employees of ASC and VEEM contribute every day in negotiating and executing such a critical and complex in-country manufacturing and service program,” Miocevich stated. “It is this type of successful collaboration that will underpin the success of the upcoming AUKUS program.”
The AUKUS program, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is expected to further enhance Australia’s defense capabilities. VEEM’s involvement in this program underscores its strategic importance in the defense sector.
Historical Context and Future Implications
VEEM’s partnership with ASC is part of a broader trend of increasing domestic manufacturing capabilities within Australia’s defense industry. This aligns with the government’s strategy to enhance national security by reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The Collins Class submarines, first commissioned in the 1990s, have been a cornerstone of Australia’s naval defense, and the continued investment in their maintenance and upgrade reflects their ongoing strategic importance.
Looking ahead, the contract with VEEM is expected to bolster Australia’s defense readiness and support the nation’s broader strategic objectives. As global geopolitical dynamics evolve, the ability to maintain and upgrade critical defense assets like the Collins Class submarines will remain a priority for the Australian government.
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