WA ENGINEERING business Hofmann has been approved to supply components for United States Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Hofman manufactures a range of high-tolerance gears and gearboxes, shafts, couplings and rotating assemblies and custom-machines parts for hydraulic and structural systems.
A West Australian government media release described Hofman’s approval as a major win for the local defence industry.
The release said Hofman’s is the first business in Australia to be given the green light to provide parts for strategic US naval assets.
“It means the Bassendean business is on track to be able to supply components for Virginia-class submarines, which will support the creation of local jobs and strengthen Australia's relationship with the US through its world-class industries,” the statement said.
Hofmann Engineering started in a Perth backyard in 1969 and has grown into an integral supplier to local industry, including WA's locally made METRONET railcars.
State government funding of $300,000 went to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) - the world's biggest nuclear-powered submarine builder - to deliver the Supplier Capability Uplift Program. The initiative was later incorporated into the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) program, executed by H&B Defence.
The government said the program has also helped four other WA businesses advance towards achieving strict US approvals including: Dobbie which specialises in precision-engineered castings; Marine Technicians Australia focused on defence maritime platforms; Pressure Dynamics which provides hydraulic and electro-mechanical solutions across defence, mining, marine and energy sectors; and Veem which manufactures propulsion and stabilisation systems.
HII is one of only two builders of the US Virginia-class submarine - the vessel Australia is set to acquire under the AUKUS partnership in 2032.
Defence industries minister Paul Papalia said he wanted to grow WA's defence sector to become the state's second largest industry after mining.
"WA's defence industry has the expertise to deepen Australia's strategic partnership with the US,” Mr Papalia said.
"Our skilled local workforce can accelerate the construction of Virginia-class submarines - benefiting both WA and our AUKUS allies."