- Published:
- Wednesday 7 September 2016
The world-class capabilities of Victoria’s defence manufacturing industry are on show at the Land Forces 2016 exhibition in Adelaide this week.
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting 17 local manufacturers to showcase their commercial land defence capabilities at the three day expo, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, and attended by defence and trade delegations from around the world.
In a speech at the Victorian Government Industry Breakfast, Minister for Industry and Employment, Wade Noonan, highlighted Victoria’s capabilities for the design, development and manufacture for military vehicles.
Victoria’s capabilities make it the natural home for the manufacture of the Australian Government’s $5 billion Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle acquisition program, also known as LAND 400 Phase 2.
Victoria’s strength in defence manufacturing has been highlighted by the $1.3 billion dollar Commonwealth contract to build the new Hawkei military vehicle in Bendigo, and by Lockheed Martin’s decision to locate its first R&D Centre outside the United States in Melbourne.
The Victorian defence industry contributes up to $8 billion to the state’s economy and includes more than 300 businesses, directly employing around 7,000 people who make equipment and provide services for defence activities.
Members of the Defence Council Victoria and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources are using the event to promote the strength of Victoria’s defence industry to senior defence decision makers and industry representatives.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“Victoria’s track record of supporting military vehicles make it the natural home to build the next generation Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle and military vehicle programs well into the future.”
“The Land Forces 2016 conference showcases how Victoria’s highly capable defence industry stands ready and able to support global land defence projects.”