How Moog can support the AUKUS partnership
AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States. The objectives are to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, deter regional threats, and accelerate technology development for the purpose of national defence.
Under AUKUS, Australia will acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and obtain the knowledge and infrastructure to maintain Virginia-class submarines in Australia.
We sat down with Bryan O’Connor, Managing Director of Moog Australia & Asia-Pacific to discuss Moog capabilities in the region.
What capabilities does Moog have in Australia that could support AUKUS?
O’Connor: Moog has been in Australia for over 45 years, and our manufacturing facilities have grown to encompass 27,000 square feet of lean manufacturing layout. Our facilities were purpose-built for design and series production of cutting-edge defence systems that provide overmatch capability to the warfighter.
Moog is committed to “equipping those who defend freedom”. In our Australia Operations, this means we are laser focused on providing best-in-class capability to the Australian Defence Forces and deployed forces of key partners such as the U.S. and UK.
We produce turreted weapon systems, missile control actuation systems, and weapon stores management systems. We also provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Moog and third-party articles used by Defence forces. Our facilities are government accredited and highly secured - which means we can handle export controlled and sensitive information for the AUKUS partnership.
Moog Australia has delivered more than 10,000 defense control systems, including our system sustainment work on the M113 and the ASLAV (Australian Light Armored Vehicle) Gun Turret Drive Systems. In the naval domain, we have designed and built innovative submarine actuators in partnership with Moog Inc., Defence Science Technology Group, and the Royal Australian Navy. Additionally, our surface ships actuators are utilized in ride control of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). We’re proud to deliver this technology in partnership with Austal Ships.
By continuing to invest in our Australian facility to support the contested logistics environment in the Indo-Pacific, Moog supports the strengthening of Australian sovereign capabilities. The Moog Australia team is standing up capabilities to support Missile Control Actuation Systems (CAS) to meet the COA Guided Weapon and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) mission. This is a solid example of building capabilities within Australia to meet the AUKUS mission.
Can you explain the current strategic drivers for the AUKUS program in the Australian Defence environment?
O’Connor: The 2023 Australian Defence Strategic Review (DSR) sets the agenda for an ambitious reform to Australian defence posture. It prioritizes the urgent acquisition of a submarine capability through AUKUS Pillar I. It also promotes broad technology partnerships on undersea capabilities and hypersonic technologies through AUKUS Pillar II. The need for urgency and for international cooperation are two recurring statements on AUKUS, as stated in the DSR release. At Moog, we hear this call to action and are positioning ourselves to support.
Moog continues to build on the foundations for success of the AUKUS program starting with our AUKUS footprint across Australia, U.K., and the U.S. We have sought and received approval for transfer of know-how and technologies to enable cooperation and engagements. The establishment of the export license-free environment between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, finalized on September 01st 2024, certainly makes the process more efficient. At a tactical level, we send our staff on secondment across Moog defense facilities to expedite knowledge transfer. We hire veterans with considerable end-user experience to ensure our workforce is effectively resourced and ready to support AUKUS programs.
How is Moog Australia preparing for AUKUS?
O’Connor: Down under, the Commonwealth of Australia (COA) has been crystal clear about the deteriorating strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region and the fast pace of change required from the defence industry to maintain peer-on-peer capabilities. The COA has released a list of Sovereign Defence Industry Priorities (SDIP, 7 in total), 4 of which are aligned to Moog Australia’s current capabilities, and another 2 of which we are developing capabilities through the Moog technology and investment roadmap.
Recently, the COA contracted Moog to join the Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP). The program’s aim is to strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base through diversifying revenue sources for businesses, driving economies of scale, and building capacity and resilience through exports. Under this program, Moog Inc. is committed to identify and maximize opportunities for the Australian industry across Moog’s global operations. The GSCP efforts are managed in our Moog Australia facility with supporting resources from our U.S. operations, a true AUKUS support mechanism.
In a nutshell, the program is a pathway for Australian defence industry to bid on existing or future Moog contracts. The GSCP turbocharges Australian supply chain uplift. It has delivered AUD $1.7B of work to Australian industry since its debut in 2007. Via the GSCP, Moog will identify and qualify Australian SMEs to support AUKUS. This creates opportunities, jobs, and strengthens the ecosystem.
You mentioned earlier Moog Australia’s undertaking in the undersea actuation domain. Can you expand on that a little, and explain how this relates AUKUS Pillar I?
O’Connor: Well, Moog’s heritage in supporting the AU, U.S., and UK submarines is something we are very proud of. Our systems operate critical functions from bow to aft of the Collins, Virginia, and Dreadnought-class submarine fleets. We also equip large unmanned underwater vehicles and torpedoes. Our undersea products are near-silent, able to operate in any environment, and are SUBSAFE certified - one of the most stringent quality assurance systems on the planet. This is a significant experience to draw upon, in fact, Moog Australia has also designed and manufactured submarine actuators.
Soon, the Virginia-class submarines will be berthed in Fleet Base West in Western Australia. Our in-country footprint is an asset, and we have demonstrated experience in localizing sustainment to reduce turnaround time and supply-chain survivability. So, our first intention is to support our products on the existing install bases and submarines that will be deployed in the region.
From there, other options can be explored, such as:
- Building U.S. Navy hardware from Australia in support of the U.S. Submarine supply chain
- Partnering with other OEMs who do not have an AU footprint to maximize localization
- Collaborating on the developing SSN AUKUS platform
It is possible to increase value with a collaborative mindset. Our team’s work is to identify which approach best meets the COA and AUKUS partners’ objectives. In short , Moog has a culture of openness and collaboration, paired with a can-do mindset - which makes doing business with us seamless . This is one of our greatest assets, especially for initiatives like AUKUS. Our shared ambition of developing superior solutions for the Warfighter unites Moog teams across the globe. Moog continues to develop our capabilities to support the AUKUS military forces, ensuring their superiority in deterring threats and reinforcing regional stability.” Moog, headquartered in Western New York, operates eight defense manufacturing facilities in the U.S. with a heritage spanning over 40 years in both Australia and the United Kingdom. The company employs thousands of highly qualified personnel, including veterans with extensive experience in the defense industry.
Interested in speaking with Moog? Contact us at defensemedia@moog.com