Australian defence manufacturer PMB Defence has been awarded a contract to provide products to the US Navy through Penn State University to undergo rigorous testing to assess the suitability for its application to US boats. This development means that PMB is now formally working with all three AUKUS member countries on submarine battery solutions.
Since its establishment in 1988 as Pacific Marine Batteries, PMB Defence has been a key supplier to the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class Submarines, providing Main Storage Batteries and associated services. In recent years, PMB has expanded its expertise to design and supply advanced technology submarine batteries for many international customers, reinforcing its reputation as a leading provider of innovative and reliable solutions in the defence sector and now, as a battery supplier of choice under the AUKUS agreement.
In August last year, PMB signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) valued at over £13 million (A$25 million) to test and qualify its cutting-edge battery system for the UK’s nuclear submarines. PMB first started working with the UK MoD in mid-2019 and their advanced Nickel Zinc battery design has been developed and tested in collaboration with the UK MoD to suit the unique needs of nuclear submarine operations.
Mike Hartas, General Manager of New Technologies at PMB Defence, said that the development underscores the importance and benefits of collaboration among the Australian, US and UK militaries in the lead up to the delivery of Virginia Class submarines to Australia as part of the AUKUS pact. “We are committed to providing the world’s most advanced battery solutions for AUKUS submarines and it is a tremendous validation of our team’s efforts that our technology will be evaluated by the US Navy,” explained Hartas.
PMB’s advanced technology incorporates its Nickel Zinc battery design which offers unrivalled high-power performance, safety, excellent charging characteristics and an adaptable cell design that allows it to be fitted into a modular configuration to suit the needs of different platforms. PMB offers AUKUS a common cell solution enabling a reduced logistic footprint, configurable modular system that enablers the warfighter the operational capability thought available only with lithium-ion technology.
“Our team in Australia and the United Kingdom have continued to mature this technology since our 2019 UK MoD contract win and have positioned us well to support future AUKUS contracts in Australia and the US,” added Hartas.
