Tag: defence manufacturing

Queensland’s manufacturing sector is set to receive a boost with more than $500,000 in government funding supporting the expansion of defence armour production on the Gold Coast.

Manufacturing capability in Australia’s defence sector has received a boost following a new agreement between Lockheed Martin Australia and the Australian Government to begin local production of key guided weapon components for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).

The Western Australian Government has opened expressions of interest (EOI) from local, national and international companies to help shape a proposed advanced defence manufacturing hub in Western Australia, with the initiative positioned as a major step in strengthening the state’s manufacturing capability and sovereign industrial base.

Lockheed Martin Australia says it has completed a successful warhead detonation test in regional New South Wales alongside Northrop Grumman Australia and Thales Australia, marking a further step toward establishing sovereign guided weapons manufacturing capability in Australia.

South Australia’s defence manufacturing sector has reached a new milestone, with Adelaide-based Century Engineering becoming the first Australian company to secure export contracts within the United States naval nuclear supply chain.

The Australian Government has moved to expand Australia’s defence manufacturing-linked capability and the Australian Army’s long-range strike capacity, selecting the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in a $2.3 billion investment over the next decade.

Australia and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their defence industry partnership following the Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue held on 23 February 2026, the Australian Government said.

Manufacturing and construction jobs are expected to increase in Western Sydney following a $508 million investment by the Albanese Government in two defence infrastructure projects linked to Australia’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance manufacturing capability, according to the Australian Department of Defence.

Manufacturing sovereignty and Australia’s defence capability will be the focus of the 2026 National Manufacturing Summit, with Weld Australia calling for sponsors and speakers to participate in the event to be held in Adelaide on 29 and 30 July 2026.

Australia’s preparations for nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS are driving new partnerships focused on strengthening local manufacturing, skills and supply chains.