HII taps new leader for Australian business and AUKUS efforts

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Australian business efforts are now being led by Michael Lempke, former president of HII's Nuclear and Environmental Services business group.

In this new role, Lempke will focus on unmanned systems, C5ISR operations, artificial intelligence and machine learning and nuclear shipbuilding expertise for AUKUS, according to an HII news release Wednesday.

“I look forward to working with the Australian, U.S. and United Kingdom governments, and HII’s Australian business and academic partners to use HII expertise to make AUKUS Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 a success and to strengthen the security alliance between our nations,” Lempke said.

HII also highlighted in its release recent moves to strengthen its Australian ties, including the formation of an AUKUS Workforce Alliance with defense company Babcock Australasia, which will partner with Australian universities to prepare an AUKUS-supportive workforce.

“This is an important next step in our international growth initiative, enhancing coordination between AUKUS Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 efforts, enabling an efficient in-country operating model, and providing a unified business approach in Australia,” HII Mission Technologies President Andy Green said of Lempke’s new role. “2024 will be a pivotal year for the AUKUS program, for the Commonwealth of Australia, and for HII, and I am proud of our team and the commitment we have shown in supporting this important global strategic initiative.”