WA advanced defence manufacturing hub EOIs oversubscribed

The Western Australian government says that its proposed defence and advanced manufacturing hub, Western Defence Forge (WDF), has been oversubscribed with expressions of interest.

The WDF EOI process received 179 submissions from businesses across nine nations, including 28 international companies (of which 13 are international defence companies), 20 Australian companies, and 118 WA-based SMEs, demonstrating strong industry interest in establishing and expanding sovereign capability in Western Australia.

The submissions span a broad range of strategic capability areas including:

• guided weapons and explosive ordnance, energetics and munitions manufacturing
• autonomous and uncrewed systems across air, land and maritime domains
• space systems, satellite manufacturing and space-based intelligence capabilities
• advanced manufacturing, robotics and additive manufacturing
• defence electronics, sensors, communications and digital engineering
• maritime sustainment, naval systems and propulsion technologies
• critical minerals, advanced materials and sovereign industrial inputs
• defence logistics, testing, evaluation, certification and workforce development.
   

The submissions will be considered by government to inform future infrastructure, industry, and job opportunities in the hub.

The WA Government says the WDF will assist WA businesses to secure work on major defence and advanced manufacturing projects, creating new opportunities in emerging technologies, exports and global supply chains.

The EOI process will assist the government in determining the best place for the WDF to be located. While Collie is being considered, other locations may also be well placed to support large-scale advanced manufacturing through existing industrial land, energy infrastructure and access to a skilled workforce.

“The strong response to the Western Defence Forge demonstrates the scale of opportunity available to Western Australia as we look to deliver on our plan to make more things in WA,” said premier Roger Cook. “This project has the potential to create highly skilled jobs, attract long-term private investment, and strengthen WA’s position as a nationally significant centre for advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation.”

“Manufacturing is the foundation of a strong economy and a secure nation,” said Minister Assisting the Defence Industries Minister Amber Jade Sanderson. “Western Australia has the skills, resources and the industrial capability to build more here. We want to see Western Australian workers and local businesses seize these opportunities to help grow our local manufacturing industry and strengthen our sovereign capability.”

Image credit: iStock.com/kynny