Babcock and Truflo Marine pilot to support AUKUS

Above: The pilot initiative was announced at the Combined Naval Event 2026.
Courtesy Babcock

The first programme in the pilot will see selected low-complexity submarine valve components manufactured at Truflo Marine’s Century Engineering facility in Adelaide, with UK engineering oversight, quality assurance and validation activity taking place over the next 18 months, enabling subsequent integration to support sustainment of the UK Astute-class submarine fleet.

The Babcock-led initiative will demonstrate how qualified Australian suppliers can now be integrated into a globally connected submarine sustainment ecosystem, not only delivering operational benefits today but enabling Australian-manufactured components to be qualified for entry into future UK Royal Navy sustainment supply chains.

Century Engineering was recently the first Australian business to secure US export contracts through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) programme led by H&B Defence. This initiative broadens Century Engineering’s role to include active UK sustainment opportunity.

The collaboration supports three strategic objectives across the AUKUS enterprise: expanding allied supply chain capacity, developing in-region industrial capability, and strengthening a resilient, globally connected submarine industrial base across the UK, Australia and the United States under AUKUS.

Babcock Director of Growth and Strategic Procurement, Nuclear, David Tytherleigh said: “By combining Australian manufacturing with UK engineering assurance, Babcock and Truflo Marine are supporting the development of a resilient and globally connected submarine sustainment ecosystem capable of supporting both current operational demands and future allied capability requirements.”

Mike Semens‑Flanagan, Managing Director, Truflo Marine, said: “Through this collaboration with Babcock, we are demonstrating how Truflo Marine’s flow control expertise, combined with our expanding manufacturing capability in Australia, can support a more responsive and resilient submarine sustainment supply chain. By aligning proven UK engineering standards with Australian-based production, we are helping to develop in‑region capability that can support vessels operating from Australia today, while contributing to the long-term industrial strength of the AUKUS enterprise.”