Congressman Joe Courtney Supports Australian Steel in U.S. Submarine Construction
Congressman Joe Courtney, representing Connecticut's 2nd district, has expressed strong support for Electric Boat's decision to order $2 million worth of steel plates from Australian supplier Bisalloy Steel. This marks the first instance of Australian-made steel being used in the construction of U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarines. Courtney, who serves as the Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, highlighted the significance of this order as a milestone in the AUKUS security agreement, which aims to enhance defense collaboration between the U.S., UK, and Australia. The order is part of a broader effort to expand the submarine industrial base in both the U.S. and Australia, with Australia investing $3 billion into U.S. submarine construction. The U.S. Navy has also executed contracts for the construction of nine Virginia-class fast attack submarines and five Columbia-class ballistic submarines, securing work for shipyards and supply chains into the late 2030s. 
