The Australian government is collaborating with Thales and Lockheed Martin to boost domestic defense solutions manufacturing.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence announced that the Albanese government has tapped Thales to build, establish and commission a 155-millimeter M795 artillery ammunition facility in the country. The factory, to be built at the Benalla Munitions Facility, is expected to produce 15,000 rounds each year by 2028 and up to 100,000 rounds to supply partners worldwide. The forge, the first of its kind outside the United States, will employ at least 550 jobs.
Aside from the Thales partnership, Australia is also working with Lockheed Martin to set up a facility in the country to manufacture Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, a long-range surface-to-surface precision strike capability for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers.
The partnerships are part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise and Future Made in Australia Agenda — investment initiatives aimed at strengthening supply chains and enhancing local defense manufacturing capabilities.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles highlighted how the partnerships fit the commitment to have a more capable military force.
“The 2024 National Defence Strategy affirmed the need to invest in munitions to build stocks, strengthen supply chains and support a domestic manufacturing capability,” he said. “Investment in a sovereign GWEO Enterprise that can produce and maintain priority weapons will support the ADF’s transformation to an integrated, focused force.”