RAN to acquire SM2 Block IIIC and SM6
The RAN will arm itself with Raytheon SM2 Block IIIC and SM6 missiles under a $7 billion agreement with the United States. The SM2 Block IIIC and SM6 are said by Defence to be the most advanced air and missile…
Defence invests in domestic rocket motor program as part of GWEO
The Australian Department of Defence is investing an initial $22 million in a sovereign rocket motor construction program to support its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) program to build long-range missiles in Australia. Defence has also announced it will…
Commonwealth support takes Innovaero OWL B loitering munition into next phase
Perth-based Innovaero will accelerate development of Australia's first sovereign precision loitering munition capability following a new agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia. The aeronautical engineering company will move into a third phase in the development of the OWL B precision…
Lockheed Martin and Thales sign teaming agreement to manufacture GMLRS
Canberra-based Lockheed Martin Australia and Sydney based Thales Australia have signed a Teaming Agreement to explore opportunities to advance the development and production of Solid Rocket Motors (SRM) for the Australian market. The purpose of the agreement is to collaborate,…
No time to go it alone on capability, says DEPSEC
The Defence Trade Controls (DTC) Amendment Bill 2023 before Parliament will streamline trade with the United Kingdom and United States and is critical to Australia’s ability to more closely integrate its defence industrial base with partners, Defence’s Deputy Secretary Strategy, Policy, and Industry,…
Thales Australia welcomes focus on long-range strike
Sydney-based Thales Australia has strongly welcomed the Australian government’s $37.4 million contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to commence manufacturing of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) from 2025 in Australia, says the company’s CEO Jeff Connolly. Thales Australia runs…
Lockheed Martin to manufacture guided weapons in Australia
Lockheed Martin Australia has been awarded a $37.4 million (excluding GST) contract by Defence to commence manufacturing missiles in Australia. Under this Guided Weapons Production Capability (GWPC) Risk Reduction Activity contract, Lockheed Martin Australia will commence fit-out in preparation for…
Minister for Defence Industry to visit USA for industry talks and annual Ministerial Development Dialogue
Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, will travel to the USA this week for industry and government-to-government talks on defence industry expansion and also on deeper cooperation on international development and the Pacific. Conroy is also Australia’s Minister for…
Boeing, Ferra to continue JDAM-ER production, explore powered variant
Boeing and Brisbane-based Ferra Engineering have agreed to continue production of Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) wing kits. The agreement also includes the intent to explore applications for Powered JDAM — a long-range, low-cost and mass-producible JDAM derivative…
Australian Government invests $220 million in local munitions manufacturing for Defence
The Australian Department of Defence is investing $220 million in munitions production at factories in Mulwala in New South Wales and Benalla in Victoria. “Improving Australia’s ability to manufacture the munitions our defence force needs is not only critical to meeting…