South Australian manufacturing firm enters US naval nuclear supply chain

Australian Manufacturing By Kate B., May 12, 2026

South Australia’s defence manufacturing sector has reached a new milestone, with Adelaide-based Century Engineering becoming the first Australian company to secure export contracts within the United States naval nuclear supply chain.

The contracts, announced by the SA Government, will see Century Engineering manufacture precision-engineered cranks for use in US aircraft carriers through an agreement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding operation in Virginia. Production is expected to begin within weeks.

The announcement comes as new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed South Australia’s defence industry generated a record $2.015 billion in gross value added during 2024-25, up 4 per cent from the previous year and more than double the $977 million recorded in 2019-20.

The SA Government said Century Engineering secured the work after qualifying to US naval nuclear standards through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Program, delivered by H&B Defence on behalf of HII and the Australian Submarine Agency.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the contract demonstrated the opportunities emerging from the AUKUS partnership for local manufacturing businesses.

“What is happening at Century Engineering is a shining example of the transformative opportunity AUKUS presents for South Australian manufacturing,” Malinauskas said…………………

Malinauskas said the work was supported by the South Australian and federal governments and would help develop “a highly complex export industry” while sustaining long-term jobs.

According to the ABS data cited by the government, South Australia led all major states on a per capita basis for both defence economic activity and defence employment, generating approximately $1,060 in defence gross value added per person……………………………… https://www.australianmanufacturing.com.au/south-australian-manufacturing-firm-enters-us-naval-nuclear-supply-chain/