ASC and BAE Systems Empower Local Suppliers with Unified Portal for Nuclear Submarine Opportunities

ASC and BAE Systems Empower Local Suppliers with Unified Portal for Nuclear Submarine Opportunities

(IN BRIEF) ASC and BAE Systems Australia have jointly launched a redesigned Industry Capability Network (ICN) Portal to facilitate Australian business participation in the Nuclear-powered Submarine Program. The transition of portal management from the Australian Submarine Agency to ASC and BAE Systems ensures continued access for current suppliers and creates new opportunities for small and medium enterprises to engage with the program. Acting as a single hub for supplier registration, capability showcase, and tender access, the portal will strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial base and enable local companies to play an active role in the nation’s submarine enterprise under the AUKUS partnership.

(PRESS RELEASE) AUSTRALIA, 4-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Australia’s sovereign submarine partners ASC and BAE Systems Australia have unveiled a revamped Industry Capability Network (ICN) Portal to strengthen local industry participation in the nation’s Nuclear-powered Submarine Program (NPS). The announcement, made during the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition, marks an important milestone in connecting Australian businesses to one of the most significant and complex defence programs in the country’s history.

The ICN Portal, previously managed by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), has now been fully transitioned to joint management under ASC and BAE Systems. This collaborative framework will ensure seamless continuity for the hundreds of suppliers already registered while providing a clear and accessible pathway for new small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) eager to join the submarine supply chain.

The portal serves as a central hub for companies to register their interest, demonstrate their technical capabilities, and access upcoming opportunities across the multi-decade submarine enterprise. It reinforces the government’s commitment to maximizing sovereign industrial capability, strengthening local supply chains, and ensuring Australia’s sustained role in the global defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Stuart Whiley, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ASC, emphasized the significance of this development:
“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 ensuring suppliers have a clear, simple, and continuous pathway to engage with the program and be part of Australia’s sovereign submarine capability.”

Craig Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia, added:
“Australian industry will be at the heart of delivering the SSN-AUKUS submarine enterprise. The transition of the ICN Portal ensures Australian businesses can register once and remain connected as opportunities grow, giving them the confidence to invest in the skills, standards, and innovation needed to succeed in global submarine supply chains.”

The ICN Portal has long been the trusted platform for industry engagement across major Australian defence initiatives. Under the new management, suppliers already registered on the system will not need to reapply, ensuring uninterrupted access to updates, tenders, and expressions of interest. The platform will continue to act as the single source of truth for supplier engagement, helping align industry capabilities with emerging needs in the NPS and broader AUKUS initiatives.

By improving digital access, streamlining supplier processes, and fostering long-term collaboration, the new-look ICN Portal underscores ASC and BAE Systems’ commitment to supporting Australian industry participation and building a resilient sovereign capability for the future.

Media contact:

Richard Sproull
Senior Communications Manager, Media and Reputation
BAE Systems Australia
Mobile +61 460 434 397

SOURCE: BAE Systems