Austal Limited disclosed Wednesday a non-binding indication of interest from a syndicate led by Wildcat Resources LLC, branded Wildcat Infrastructure, valuing Austal USA at an aggregate enterprise value of $1.25 billion to $1.35 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The approach tops Hanwha Defence USA’s earlier non-binding range of up to $1.20 billion disclosed in August. Reuters said the Wildcat proposal is subject to four weeks of due diligence, and Austal’s board will consider it. Wildcat intends a standalone platform that retains the Austal brand and U.S. operations.
Austal shares (ASB.AX) closed 7.1 percent higher after rising as much as about 9 percent to A$4.74, Reuters reported. Context for the U.S. yard includes an Austal USA FY26 EBIT loss of A$202.8 million. No definitive agreement, Navy contract values, or CFIUS outcome are claimed here. Only U.S. operations are in the indication; Australian and other yards are outside this interest.
Sources: ASX announcement, Sep. 9, 2026; Reuters; prior Hanwha ASX, Aug. 11, 2026.
