Most people don’t think about what powers a submarine when it’s hundreds of metres below the surface.
But in that silent world, energy is everything, and one Australian company is rewriting the rules.
PMB Defence Engineering, based in Adelaide, has signed a new contract with BAE Systems (LON:BAES) in the UK to explore how its nickel-zinc battery technology could be built into the design of the next generation of nuclear-powered submarines, known as SSN-AUKUS.
It’s a small-sounding deal, but it’s got big implications.
The contract gives BAE Systems access to data needed to assess whether PMB’s high-density battery systems can slot into the new fleet.
This is a huge step forward that could put Australian innovation deep inside one of the most complex defence programs on the planet.
From Collins to AUKUS
PMB isn’t new to the underwater world.
Founded in 1989 in South Australia, it’s been supplying the main storage batteries for the Collins-class submarines since the 1990s. Those same batteries have kept Australia’s fleet running for nearly three decades, a track record that makes PMB a known quantity in the defence community.
Now the company is taking that experience and applying it to something new: nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries that promise roughly double the energy capacity of traditional lead-acid systems.
In a nuclear submarine, most of the electricity comes from the onboard reactor, but large batteries still play a crucial role.
They keep vital systems running quietly when the reactor is throttled down, and serve as an independent backup if anything goes wrong.
More power, less weight, and faster recharge times could mean longer silent runs and fewer compromises for naval architects.
Six years in the making
This latest contract didn’t appear overnight.
PMB has been working with the UK Ministry of Defence and its Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) for more than six years, running trials and proving the performance of its NiZn batteries.
The early focus was on the UK’s Astute-class submarines, but as results came in, the SDA identified the technology as the preferred option for the upcoming SSN-AUKUS program. This is a fleet that will form the backbone of future Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy operations.
Under the new deal, BAE Systems will gain full visibility of PMB’s testing data to assess how best to integrate the NiZn systems into the submarine’s design.
A boost for Australian industry
For BAE Systems, this is part of a broader push to ensure Australian companies play a real role in the AUKUS supply chain.
Craig Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia, said:
“This enablement contract with PMB is an example of the industrial uplift efforts underway to maximise and accelerate Australian industry participation in tri-lateral nuclear-powered submarine programs.”
Strong progress, Lockhart said, is being made on the detailed design phase of the SSN-AUKUS program.
The workforce continues to grow, and strong collaboration is occurring between submarine build partners, the UK and Australian governments and industry.
“We’re committed to continuing to work closely with Australian companies, like PMB, to identify opportunities for them to be involved in SSN-AUKUS design and build activities,” he added.
It’s part of the methodical process of making sure AUKUS doesn’t just deliver submarines, but a capable, connected defence industry across all three nations.
Adelaide innovation, global reach
For PMB, the opportunity is both technical and symbolic.
Stephen Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer of PMB Defence Engineering, said:
“We are proud to contribute Australian innovation to one of the most complex defence programs in our nation’s history.
“This contract will drive further growth in our Adelaide-based team and expand our local supply chain as we move towards production.
“The agreement also highlights the growing role of Australian industry in delivering advanced capability under the AUKUS partnership.”
That means more engineering jobs, more suppliers coming online, and another step in anchoring South Australia as the hub of Australia’s submarine future.
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Chairman Asia’s take
The SSN-AUKUS submarines will be based on the UK’s next-generation nuclear design, built in Osborne, South Australia, with BAE Systems and ASC serving as sovereign build partners.
The program will merge UK designs with cutting-edge US technology and Australian manufacturing capability, a true three-nation collaboration.
If PMB’s NiZn batteries make the cut, it would mark one of the most significant Australian technology contributions to AUKUS yet – a homegrown innovation helping power the most advanced submarines ever built.
In a program defined by scale and secrecy, that’s no small feat.
Because deep below the surface, when silence is survival and every amp counts, power is all about trust.
And in that equation, Australia’s playing a bigger role than ever.
This article is not financial advice. Always do your own research or speak with a licensed adviser before making investment decisions.
