By Darian Macey, March 18 2025
Australia is launching an ambitious plan to establish a domestic Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex (AWMC) capable of producing up to 4,000 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles annually by 2029. This initiative – a partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia – is a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to boost its long-range strike capabilities and build sovereign manufacturing capacity for advanced weapons. It aligns with recommendations from Australia’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR) and is a key element of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise and the government’s “Future Made in Australia” industrial agenda ([1]). Officials and industry leaders say the project will bolster national security, create jobs, and integrate Australian industry into global supply chains, but acknowledge challenges ahead in infrastructure, workforce, and regulatory requirements.
Strategic Context: Long-Range Strike and Sovereign Capability
Australia’s push to manufacture missiles domestically comes amid a rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific security environment often described as a new “missile age.” The Defence Strategic Review 2023 highlighted the need for Australia to significantly strengthen its long-range strike capacity as part of a strategy of deterrence by denial. In particular, the DSR “identified long-range strike and other guided weapons as fundamental” to the Australian Defence Force (ADF)’s posture, emphasising the need to hold sufficient stockpiles of missiles and “have the ability to manufacture certain lines” of munition domestically. This reflected concerns that Australia could no longer rely on a decade of strategic warning time or on overseas suppliers for critical armaments in a crisis.
Defence leaders point to stark lessons from recent conflicts. “You only need to turn on the TV to see how modern warfare in Ukraine has been churning through munitions at an unprecedented rate,” Air Marshal Leon Phillips, the Chief of the GWEO Group, noted in an August 2024 address. In Ukraine, years’ worth of anti-tank missiles and artillery shells were expended in mere weeks. Such realities “hammer home the need for Australia to develop a sovereign capability” to produce advanced weapons, Phillips said, warning that “without munitions, warships soon become cruise ships and tanks soon become taxis” – a vivid reminder that even the best platforms are useless without ample ammunition.
The Australian government has responded by overhauling its approach to guided weapons. It created the GWEO Enterprise to consolidate and accelerate weapons acquisition and production across the ADF. Initial efforts were deemed too slow and under-resourced by the DSR, spurring a major funding boost. In 2023–24, the GWEO program secured A$2.5 billion in immediate funding to kick-start domestic weapons manufacturing and expand war stockpiles, followed by up to A$21 billion over the next decade under the 2024 National Defence Strategy’s Integrated Investment Program. This represents a substantial investment in building a “sovereign GWEO Enterprise” that can produce, maintain, and stockpile priority missiles and ammunition for the ADF. It also dovetails with the Future Made in Australia agenda, a broader economic plan to revitalise domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience in strategically important industries ([1]).
The Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex (AWMC) Plan
At the centre of Australia’s missile push is the new Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex, which will be the country’s first dedicated facility for mass-producing guided missiles. Announced in 2024, the AWMC is slated to be operational by 2029, with a capacity to produce up to 4,000 GMLRS rockets per year for the ADF and export markets. To put that in perspective, 4,000 GMLRS rounds annually is “more than a quarter of the current global production” of these missiles and over ten times Australia’s current yearly demand, according to Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy ([1]). This scale is designed not only to meet Australia’s needs but also to make the venture economically viable by supplying allies and partners – positioning Australia as a contributor to global weapons supply chains rather than a mere consumer ([3]).
The complex will be established in partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia, the manufacturer of the GMLRS, under a co-production agreement reinforced by the Australia–US alliance. Lockheed Martin and the Australian Government signed an initial $37.4 million contract in January 2024 to begin technology transfer and workforce training for GMLRS assembly. By March 2024, a joint AUSMIN statement with the United States had outlined a pathway for full-scale GMLRS production in Australia, aiming for up to 4,000 rounds annually and integrating Australia into the global supply chain for these munitions. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles lauded the project as “another example of [our] commitment to developing a more capable military force while also supporting a future made in Australia”, stressing that in today’s strategic circumstances the ADF must be equipped to “hold adversaries at risk” at long range ([1]).
Under the plan, Australia will start small and scale up in a “crawl, walk, run” approach. Beginning as early as 2025, an initial small batch of GMLRS missiles will be assembled in Australia from imported components ([1]). This pilot effort is already underway at a temporary facility in western Sydney (the Orchard Hills Defence Establishment), where the first Australian-assembled GMLRS round is expected in 2025 ([2]). “Everyone said we couldn’t and wouldn’t, but we are going to – standby,” Air Marshal Phillips told industry leaders, affirming the target to commence domestic missile manufacturing by the end of 2025. As production ramps up, more manufacturing steps will be done locally: the goal is to move from mere assembly of US-sourced “kits” (once likened to “assembling flatpack furniture” ([2])) to making a significant portion of the missile components in Australia. The AWMC project involves a A$316 million investment in infrastructure and equipment to enable full-rate production by 2029 ([3]).
Importantly, the AWMC is being designed with growth and flexibility in mind. Defence officials see GMLRS – a 90-kilometer-range surface-to-surface rocket fired from HIMARS launchers – as an ideal starting point to prove Australia’s industrial capacity. Once the facility, workforce and supply chain are established building GMLRS, Australia could in future adapt the complex to manufacture more complex missiles (such as longer-range strike or anti-ship weapons) as needed ([4]). “Getting these critical foundational steps right will ensure we can build a flexible and scalable guided weapons capability that can be reconfigured for more complex weapon types in the future,” Air Marshal Phillips explained. This vision aligns with the 2024 Australian GWEO Plan, which set out a roadmap to incrementally increase the sophistication of locally made ordnance – starting with relatively mature, in-demand munitions like GMLRS and gradually expanding into other domains.
Location, Infrastructure and Logistics Requirements
One of the first tasks is selecting a site for the AWMC and preparing the necessary infrastructure. Potential locations have been identified in New South Wales and Victoria, leveraging existing defence-industrial precincts in those states ([3]). A final decision is expected by 2025, with considerations including proximity to skilled workforce, established munitions facilities, transport links, and safety buffers for explosive materials. Industry insiders suggest the complex could be co-located with or near Commonwealth-owned munitions facilities – for example, the government-owned factories operated by Thales in Benalla, Victoria and Mulwala, NSW, which already produce munitions components like warheads and propellants ([2]). Another contender could be an expanded defence industry zone near Newcastle, NSW, where another missile assembly project (for Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile) is slated to begin ([3]). Wherever it lands, the AWMC will likely anchor a growing “defence precinct” with secure perimeter, dedicated utilities, and room for future expansion.
Building a missile manufacturing hub from scratch entails significant infrastructure requirements. The facility must include specialised production lines, warhead filling areas, explosive ordnance handling systems, and stringent safety and security measures. Storage bunkers and magazines will be needed on-site to safely store both raw explosives and finished rockets. Given the explosive materials involved, robust blast protection and separation distances are mandated by regulation. Additionally, transport and logistics infrastructure is critical. The site will require heavy-duty road or rail links to move missiles to ADF units or ports for export, as well as to receive incoming components (e.g. rocket motors or casings). To that end, Defence has already re-opened the Point Wilson Wharf in Victoria – a specialised munitions loading dock on Corio Bay – to support the import of guided weapons and, eventually, the export of Australian-made missiles. This kind of dedicated logistics node will be invaluable for shipping the high volumes of missiles envisaged for the AWMC.
Security will be another paramount concern. The complex will almost certainly be located on a secured defence estate or a remote industrial site with controlled access. It must guard against both physical intrusions and cyber threats to sensitive weapons technology. The plan also involves working closely with the United States to navigate export control regimes – notably the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) that govern U.S.-origin defence technology. Phillips noted that an “immense amount of work” is happening behind the scenes with U.S. partners to transfer technical data, establish manufacturing licenses, and ensure all regulatory approvals are in place for Australian production. This regulatory groundwork is as vital to the project’s success as pouring concrete for the factory floor.
Economic and Industrial Opportunities
Canberra’s missile manufacturing endeavour is as much about economic benefit and industry development as it is about military needs. The government has been clear that a “future made in Australia” approach to defence programs should deliver local jobs, technology skills, and business opportunities. The AWMC is expected to create at least 70 high-skilled direct jobs in missile production once operational, and “hundreds of jobs” sooner during the design and construction of the facility ([1]). These roles will range from engineers and technicians to machinists, quality controllers and safety specialists, forming a new cohort of Australian missile manufacturers. As the capability matures, the workforce could grow further, especially if additional weapon lines or export orders are added. “We’re doing a lot of work to recruit the engineers, scientists, logistics personnel and others who will help uplift our industrial base,” Air Marshal Phillips said, emphasising the need to train and retain specialist staff for the long term. New education and apprenticeship pathways in ordnance engineering are likely to spin off from the project, supported by Defence and industry initiatives to address skills shortages in the sector.
Beyond the AWMC itself, the broader defence infrastructure sector stands to benefit. Constructing the complex will involve significant civil and construction works – from building hardened structures and climate-controlled assembly halls to installing advanced manufacturing equipment. Australian construction and engineering firms with defence experience will be tapped for this effort. The project will also stimulate investment in related facilities like testing ranges, storage depots, and transportation upgrades (e.g. reinforced roads for moving explosives). Local economies in the chosen state can expect a boost: state governments in NSW and Victoria are likely vying for the project due to the economic stimulus and prestige it brings. The federal government frames such spending not just as an expense but as an investment in sovereign capability that yields industrial dividends. According to Minister Conroy, producing GMLRS at scale domestically will make Australia “more self-reliant and able to accelerate delivery of capability to the ADF, as well as our international partners”, while forging a “resilient defence industrial base” in strategic priority areas ([1]).
Another opportunity is the potential for export revenue and integration into global supply chains. Since 4,000 rockets per year far exceeds Australia’s own usage, the excess production capacity is intended to supply allied nations in the region or augment global stockpiles ([3]). This could see Australian-made missiles sold to partner militaries or contribute to joint reserves, effectively turning Australia into a net exporter of certain munitions for the first time. Such exports would help sustain high production rates (keeping unit costs down) and maintain the workforce’s proficiency. Lockheed Martin has indicated that Australia could become a regional hub for GMLRS sustainment, with the AWMC feeding not only the ADF’s magazines but also those of other friendly armies. “The new facility will enable Australia to produce viable volumes of GMLRS for global consumption,” the Defence Department noted, underscoring the project’s international dimension agreed upon at AUSMIN talks ([1]). In addition, developing indigenous manufacturing know-how opens the door for Australian firms to contribute to other international weapons programs in the future – for instance, producing components for US or European missile projects, or co-developing new systems through AUKUS and beyond.
Partnership with Industry: Lockheed Martin and Thales Leading the Charge
From the outset, Australian officials have stressed that close partnerships with defence industry primes are pivotal to the success of the GWEO Enterprise. In the case of the AWMC, Lockheed Martin Australia is the lead industry partner, bringing its expertise as the designer of the GMLRS. Lockheed is providing technical data, production process knowledge, and training to quickly stand up the local manufacturing line. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with experienced Australian companies as we establish a guided weapons production capability in Australia,” said Lockheed Martin’s Ken Kota, who oversees international integration programs. Lockheed has already been a major customer of Australian engineering firms for decades (for example, in aerospace programs), and now it’s extending that relationship to missiles. In September 2024, Lockheed Martin awarded a contract to Melbourne-based Marand Precision Engineering to support supply chain development for the missile enterprise ([6]). Under this contract, Marand is assessing the sourcing of raw materials and helping map out a domestic supplier base for GMLRS components. Marand’s CEO Rohan Stocker said it was “a privilege to continue our partnership… and use our expertise to assist Lockheed and the Commonwealth deliver this critical capability” ([6]). Such collaboration signals Lockheed’s commitment to nurturing Australian suppliers and adapting its global production model to include Australia.
Another key partner is Thales Australia, which operates the country’s main government-owned munitions plants. At the Land Forces 2024 expo, Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia signed a teaming agreement to locally manufacture critical components for GMLRS, namely the rocket motors and warheads ([2]). Thales will leverage its explosives facilities at Benalla and Mulwala to produce these high-end components, which will then feed into the assembly line at the AWMC. This marks a significant deepening of Australia’s involvement, moving beyond assembly into actually fabricating the “energetic” parts of the missile. “We started the discussion about what it would take to make a rocket motor and warhead for GMLRS as a start point… this isn’t just for Aussie needs but for global requirements,” said Thales Australia CEO Jeff Connolly, highlighting that the agreement was years in the making and aimed at worldwide supply chains ([2]). For Thales, which already makes artillery shells and bomb components domestically, adding rocket propulsion to its portfolio is a major step. It also aligns with a broader goal: AUSMIN 2024 identified establishing a sovereign solid-rocket motor capability in Australia as a strategic priority, complementary to the GMLRS project. Lockheed’s Ken Kota noted that global supply of solid rocket motors is under stress and “we need partners globally in order to be successful”, welcoming Australia’s entry into this arena ([2]).
This model – “prime” contractors like Lockheed and Thales working together and sub-contracting to local firms – is deliberately designed to maximise Australian industry participation. As Phillips outlined, the primes will do the heavy lifting initially, but “our plan has always been to encourage small and medium businesses to enter our supply chains by contracting with our strategic partners”. In other words, rather than Defence trying to contract dozens of companies directly, big industry partners act as integrators, bringing SMEs into the fold under their wing. This approach is already bearing fruit across the GWEO Enterprise: for example, Kongsberg Defence Australia (building Naval Strike Missiles locally) has signed up Australian firms like New South Wales-based New Press (for mechanical launcher components) and Victoria-based Cablex/Stahl (for electrical harnesses) to support its missile production. Similarly, Thales has been actively growing its Australian supplier base for munitions, and Lockheed Martin has identified more than 40 credible Australian SMEs to be part of the GMLRS supply chain. These smaller companies will contribute various components and sub-assemblies – from electronics and guidance system parts to rocket casings, launch canisters, and packaging – thereby sharing in the work and rewards of missile manufacturing. Defence is also offering incentives: a new Defence Industry Development Grant program, with over $150 million available, has been launched to help SMEs invest in facilities and skills needed to qualify as suppliers in programs like GWEO. The overarching aim is to ensure that Australia’s foray into missiles leaves behind a “strong industrial base”, not just an isolated government factory.
SMEs and Sustainment: Broadening the Supply Chain
The engagement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is not limited to building the missiles – it will extend into through-life support and future innovation. Once the GMLRS rounds roll off the line, they will require ongoing maintenance, periodic surveillance, and eventual refurbishment or upgrading, all of which can create further roles for local industry. Australian SME workshops could be contracted for tasks like missile round depot maintenance, component refurbishments, or software updates to guidance systems. The GWEO Plan 2024 explicitly states that Australia will manufacture weapons and components where there is sufficient volume to sustain production and an enduring benefit to defence capability ([3]). GMLRS clearly meets that test in volume. Over time, some Australian-made sub-components might even be incorporated back into the U.S. supply chain for GMLRS or used in other rockets, if they prove competitive. This would mirror how Australian companies in the F-35 fighter program supply parts fitted to jets worldwide.
Local companies are already stepping up. In addition to the examples cited by Phillips, others like Electro Optic Systems, Codan, and Quickstep Holdings (to name a few) have signalled interest in the guided weapons arena, whether through electronics, composites, or energetics expertise. The Australian Missile Corporation (AMC) – a consortium of SMEs formed in 2021 when the GWEO initiative was first floated – also represents dozens of businesses eager to contribute everything from sensors to engineering services. While not all will be involved in the GMLRS line, the momentum generated by AWMC is expected to spur wider SME participation in defence manufacturing. The government has encouraged this by hosting industry briefings and partnering workshops around the GWEO programs, and by emphasising that small businesses are “paramount to achieve the strategic priorities” of building a sovereign missile enterprise ([1]).
Historical Precedents in Australia and Abroad
Australia’s current drive to make missiles at home has precedents both domestically and internationally. Indeed, this is not the first time Australia has built advanced weapons on its soil. Historical examples illustrate that the nation has done it before – and can do so again with the right focus:
World Wars Munitions Factories: Australia established government-run munitions factories during the World Wars, producing everything from cordite explosive to rifle cartridges. The phrase “Made in Maribyrnong” became famous among Australian soldiers in World War I, referencing the Maribyrnong explosives factory in Melbourne. By WWII, a network of small arms and ammunition plants across the country supplied the Australian military (and allies) with millions of rounds, proving the effectiveness of local mass-production in wartime. Nearly all of that output was for domestic use by the military and police, showing Australia’s capacity for self-sufficiency when needed.
Early Guided Weapon Programs: In the 1950s–60s, Australia was a pioneer in some guided weapon technologies. The country developed and produced the Malkara, one of the world’s first anti-tank guided missiles, in partnership with the UK. It also designed the Ikara, an innovative ship-launched anti-submarine missile that was deployed on Royal Australian Navy vessels and exported to Britain. Decades later, Australia co-developed the Nulka active missile decoy with the US – a hovering rocket that lures away anti-ship missiles – and manufactures it domestically to this day. These projects, though smaller in scale, established that Australian engineers and factories could deliver complex rocket systems when given the opportunity. “Back in the ’50s and ’60s, Australia was producing rocket motors and booster solutions that were considered world class,” Air Marshal Phillips noted, reminding industry that the nation helped launch satellites in the early space age with homegrown propulsion technology.
International Comparisons: Other countries have similarly launched domestic missile production to meet strategic needs. During the Cold War, nations like the UK and France built robust indigenous missile industries (e.g. Britain’s Royal Ordnance factories produced everything from guided anti-air missiles to nuclear-capable rockets). More recently, mid-sized powers such as Israel and South Korea invested heavily in local missile manufacturing. Israel’s Rafael Industries now exports advanced missiles globally, and South Korea’s Hanwha produces missiles both for its own forces and for export customers – a model Australia is keen to emulate. In the United States, the urgency of arming Ukraine has driven a surge in missile production: Lockheed Martin, for example, is doubling Javelin anti-tank missile output from 2,100 to 4,000 per year to replenish stocks ([7], [8]). This underscores how increased capacity can be achieved with focused investment. Australia’s 4,000-per-year GMLRS plan would make it a significant player in terms of output, rivalling the production levels of some of the world’s top defence contractors for specific missile types ([1]).
These historical and global examples show that building a domestic guided weapons enterprise is challenging but achievable. They also highlight pitfalls to avoid – such as the need for steady demand to sustain production lines (many Cold War-era facilities withered when orders dried up). Australia’s planners appear mindful of this, hence tying the AWMC into global demand to avoid boom-bust cycles ([3]).
Challenges on the Road Ahead
While optimism around the AWMC is high, there are notable challenges and hurdles that the project must overcome:
Site Selection and Community Factors: Choosing the AWMC location will require balancing strategic needs with local considerations. Whichever state “wins” the complex may need to address community concerns about hosting a missile factory, even a highly secure one. Environmental and safety assessments will be rigorously conducted due to the handling of explosives. The government will need to coordinate with state and local authorities on planning approvals, zoning, and emergency services preparation for the facility. Both New South Wales and Victoria have signalled strong support for defence industry growth, so political support is likely, but due diligence cannot be skipped.
Workforce and Skills Development: Perhaps the most pressing challenge is finding and training the specialist workforce to staff a high-tech munitions plant. Australia faces skill shortages in engineering and manufacturing trades, and this project will demand niche expertise (e.g. ordnance engineers, pyrotechnicians, missile assembly technicians) that are in short supply. Defence and industry are partnering with universities and TAFEs to create training pipelines, but ramping up hundreds of skilled workers by 2029 is ambitious. Retaining talent is also key; without a sustained flow of work, top-skilled workers might migrate to other industries. The government is looking to its Defence Industry Skilling and STEM programs to ensure a talent pipeline, and industry partners may bring in mentors or even expat specialists initially to train Australians. As Phillips acknowledged, growing domestic missile manufacturing “from a relatively modest industrial base in an accelerated timeframe is an ambitious, complex and labour-intensive undertaking” ([3]). It will require “government intervention to attract private investment at scale”, as simply leaving it to the market likely wouldn’t achieve the urgency or scale required ([3]).
Regulatory and Tech Transfer Issues: Building American-designed missiles in Australia means navigating a web of U.S. export controls and intellectual property rules. Securing timely permissions under ITAR, ensuring cybersecurity of design data, and meeting U.S. quality standards are non-trivial tasks. The progress so far – including the tech transfer contract and the AUSMIN agreements – shows high-level political backing to clear these hurdles. But operationalising it will require continual diplomacy and troubleshooting. Moreover, Australia will have to update its own regulations around explosives manufacturing, perhaps streamlining licensing for this strategic project and updating laws to allow for things like armed security at the plant or transport of large quantities of explosive ordnance by road/rail. The timeline to 2029 leaves little slack for regulatory delays.
Financing and Sustaining the Business Case: Although the government has committed funding and the concept relies on export orders, there is always a risk that political or budgetary shifts could impact the program. Maintaining bipartisan support for the GWEO Enterprise will be crucial, as these initiatives span election cycles. The business case for 4,000 missiles a year also assumes ongoing demand. If global demand were to soften (for instance, if technological changes or diplomatic shifts reduce interest in GMLRS), Australia might need to adapt production to other products to keep the lines running. This is why flexibility (to potentially produce other missile types in future) is built into the plan. Infrastructure adaptability will be important, so the AWMC doesn’t become a white elephant after a few years.
Despite these challenges, defence officials remain confident. They point out that in just over a year since the GWEO Group was formed, progress that “many said was impossible” has been achieved – early contracts signed, pilot assembly underway, and international partnerships locked in. “We’ve probably achieved more in the last 12 months than in the last 12 years” in this space, Phillips remarked. This momentum, if sustained, bodes well for tackling the remaining obstacles.
Outlook: Transforming Defence Capability and Industry
The establishment of the Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex represents a transformational leap for both Australia’s defence capabilities and its industrial base. Strategically, having a sovereign missile production capability will give the ADF greater assurance of supply in any future conflict. Instead of being wholly dependent on overseas suppliers (who may be strained or unwilling to share stock in wartime), Australia would be able to produce and stockpile its own precision-guided munitions. This enhances deterrence, as an adversary must reckon not only with the ADF’s current arsenal, but its capacity to sustain and replenish that arsenal over time. As one defence official put it, “Investment in a sovereign GWEO enterprise that can produce and maintain priority weapons will support the ADF’s transformation to an integrated, focused force” ready for the challenges ahead. Long-range strike weapons like the GMLRS – which can accurately hit targets 80+ km away – are crucial for the ADF’s plans to “hold adversaries at risk further from our shores”, an objective repeatedly emphasised in Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy ([1]). The AWMC will thus fill a critical gap identified by the Defence Strategic Review, fundamentally improving Australia’s self-reliance in deterrence and warfighting.
Industrially, the ripple effects could be profound. The complex and its associated programs will act as a catalyst to modernise Australia’s defence manufacturing sector, introducing advanced production techniques (like automated assembly of missiles), stringent quality and safety systems, and a culture of continuous innovation. Local companies that participate will move up the value chain, gaining experience in high-precision manufacturing that could translate to other industries (such as space launch vehicles or commercial rocketry). Regions hosting these facilities could become hubs for defence tech, attracting further investments and even related industries (for instance, research labs, testing services, or explosive materials suppliers setting up nearby). The initiative also strengthens ties with allies: American and Australian engineers working side by side at the AWMC, co-producing ordinance, is a tangible embodiment of the alliance. It may open the door for co-development of next-generation weapons, with Australia having a seat at the table from the start rather than buying off-the-shelf late in the game.
In the coming years, watchers can expect a flurry of activity: ground-breaking on the site, training of workers, first prototype missiles assembled and test-fired on Australian soil. Each milestone will build confidence. By 2029, if all goes to plan, Australia will be rolling GMLRS rockets off the assembly line at a rate of over 300 per month – joining a select club of nations with such capacity. And that may be just the beginning. Defence Minister Richard Marles hinted that this is part of a broader shift, stating that “in our rapidly evolving strategic circumstances, we must equip the ADF with capabilities that can be sustained and evolved at home”. The AWMC, coupled with other projects like local manufacture of naval strike missiles and artillery shells, is setting the foundation for an Australian defence industry that can stand on its own feet. As Air Marshal Phillips told the Defence and Industry Conference: “With the help of businesses big and small, Defence can build a strong Australian munitions manufacturing industry” – one that not only meets Australia’s needs but contributes to regional stability.
Australia’s decision to build the AWMC is a bold move to future-proof its defence capabilities through industrial empowerment. It marries strategic necessity with economic opportunity, and if successful, will mark a historic step-change for the Australian defence industry. Challenges aside, the initiative enjoys high-level momentum and a clear purpose. As construction begins and partnerships deepen, the once-distant idea of Australian-made missiles is rapidly becoming a reality – a development likely to reshape the defence landscape of the nation for decades to come.
References
[1] – https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2024-10-30/australia-forges-ahead-missile-and-munitions-manufacturing
[2] – http://breakingdefense.com/2024/09/lockheed-thales-team-to-produce-aussie-made-gmlrs-munitions/
[3] – https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/gweo-plans-under-the-microscope
[4] – https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/10/06/how-australias-strategic-review-is-changing-army-acquisition-plans/
[5] – https://www.pacom.mil/Media/Photos/igphoto/2002591658/
[6] – https://landforces.com.au/media/news-article/lockheed-martin-australia-award-gweo-contract-to-australian-
[7] – https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/lockheed-martin-ceo-says-firm-is-looking-nearly-double-javelin-missile-2022-05-08/
[8] – https://www.businessinsider.com/lockheed-javelin-missiles-doubling-production-4000-russian-tanks-ukraine-war-2022-5
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.
