Page 44 - Australian Defence Directory 2019 #51

Victoria has a strong vehicle manufacturing and support base.
Victoria’s Defence Industry
Victoria is the home of innovation, advanced manufacturing, and world class R&D capabilities.
VICTORIA’S defence sector is an important part of the state’s economy, contributing up to $8 billion annually. The sector employs around 18,500 people and has more than 770 businesses which make equipment and provide services for Defence activities.
The state’s impressive local supply chain network plays a vital role in building and sustaining multiple Defence platforms.
LAND
Victoria has significant capabilities in the design, development and manufacture of land equipment, products, systems to the Australian Defence Force. The Army’s Bushmaster vehicles, manufactured by Thales in Bendigo, are renowned for saving Australian lives in combat. Thales is also manufacturing 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and trailers.
Victoria is also home to the Land Systems Division and Armoured Systems Division of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), the principal buyers of military vehicles and other land-based systems.
AEROSPACE
Some of the world’s biggest names in aerospace – including Lockheed Martin, Thales, Boeing and BAE Systems – carry out aerospace R&D and manufacturing in Victoria. Victoria is a significant contributor to Australia’s military aerospace industry, contributing 65 per cent by value of Australian contracts to the international Joint Strike Fighter program.
The state is also plays host to the biggest aviation, aerospace and defence exposition in the southern hemisphere: the biennial Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition.
MARITIME
Victoria’s leading companies and research organisations also have the expertise and the supply chain partners to make a significant contribution to Australia’s naval submarine and shipbuilding programs.
Seven of the world’s leading maritime design and engineering companies – BAE Systems, Navantia Australia, Siemens, Australian Maritime Technologies, Leonardo, L-3 Communications Australia and BMT Design & Technology – operate in Victoria.
DIGITAL TECH & CYBER SECURITY
Victoria is well placed to lead on the advanced technology aspects of major Defence projects. It has more than 150 companies demonstrating competitive capabilities in cyber security, electronic surveillance and countermeasures, radar and sonar, communications and robotics.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING INDUSTRY
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is responsible for defence industry investment support and trade facilitation. It promotes Victorian defence capabilities to the Commonwealth, Australian and international prime contractors and the broader market.
For more information about Victoria’s defence capabilities and investment opportunities, contact the Victorian Defence, Aerospace and Security team on (03) 9651 8053, by email on defence@ecodev.vic.gov.au or visit www. defence.vic.gov.au.
PAGE 44 ADM’s Directory of Defence Suppliers 2019 | Edition 51 | www.defencesuppliers.com.au
DEFENCE
VICTORIA