By Darian Macey, August 6 2024
Deterrence by denial is a cornerstone of Australia’s National Defence Strategy. A powerful long-range strike capability sends a clear message to potential adversaries: “It’s not worth the risk.” Attending the Defence + Industry Conference in Canberra last week, I had the privilege of listening to Air Marshal Leon Phillips, OAM, Chief of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, deliver an inspiring presentation on the challenges and opportunities within this critical priority of the National Defence Strategy.
1. Historical Context: Air Marshal Phillips began with a nod to Australia’s historical capabilities, recalling the production of small arms ammunition and world-class rocket motors in the mid-20th century. It was fascinating to learn that our country was once a hub for innovative missile technologies like the Malkara and Ikara. This set the stage for understanding our current ambitions to rejuvenate and expand domestic guided weapons production.
2. Strategic Importance: The Defence Strategic Review underscored long-range strike and guided weapons as essential to Australia’s strategy of denial. Phillips highlighted the need to stockpile and manufacture these weapons domestically. He humorously noted that without sufficient ammunition, warships would soon become “cruise ships” and tanks mere “taxis.” The emphasis on having a robust stockpile ready for unforeseen crises was a critical takeaway.
3. Financial Commitments: Phillips shared impressive financial figures, noting that Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise secured 2.5 billion initially, with an additional 16-21 billion earmarked over the next decade. He likened the program’s financial support to a “fairly significant slice” of the Integrated Investment Program, underscoring the government’s commitment to this vital venture.
4. Accelerated Acquisition and Domestic Manufacturing: The session delved into specific achievements, such as the acquisition of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missiles and over 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S. Phillips also discussed progress on domestic manufacturing, including the plan to commence missile production by 2025. He acknowledged the skeptics who doubt their ability to meet this deadline, stating that his team is determined to prove them wrong.
5. Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development: The importance of partnerships with primes and SMEs was a recurring theme. Phillips mentioned collaborations with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Australia, and the engagement of over 40 SMEs in the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) program. He emphasised the need for a skilled workforce, noting that people are Defence’s most important asset, highlighting the challenges of workforce recruitment and retention in a competitive market.
6. Future Plans and Industry Engagement: Phillips concluded with a forward-looking perspective, teasing upcoming announcements and stressing the need for ongoing industry collaboration.
From my point of view, Air Marshal Phillips is someone I could really rally behind. His ability to blend historical context, strategic insights, and a touch of humour made the session particularly memorable. The themes of domestic manufacturing, strategic partnerships, and workforce development painted the picture of Australia’s ambitions in the guided weapons and explosive ordnance domain. It was clear that while significant progress has been made, there remains a lot of work ahead. However, with the financial backing, strategic vision, and collaborative spirit evident in Phillips’ address, the future of Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise looks promising.
Author: Darian Macey
Darian is a former Engineering Officer with the RAE with tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Project Management. He is a leading practitioner within Australia's NSI sector with previous employment in Government, project management and building contractor organisations.
