AUSTRALIAN+NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DIRECTORY 2026 INDUSTRY GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS & GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS www.defence.directory 39 DEFENCE WEST WHERE AUKUS GETS REAL Western Australia (WA) is the engine room of the Australian economy, with an estimated Gross State Product totalling $448 billion in 2024–25 – approximately 24.5 per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product during this time period. In 2024–25, WA was responsible for around 46 per cent of the nation’s total exports, despite hosting only 11.3 per cent of the nation’s population. As Australia’s gateway to the Indian Ocean, WA’s location and economic contributions make it a vital player in regional security and economic stability, which will work to actively enhance Australia’s ability to project power and influence in the Indo-Pacific Region. With a vast landmass, uncluttered airspace, and coastline of more than 10,000km, WA’s physical characteristics make it an ideal location for defence capability development. This offers significant advantage for multi-domain Defence-related activities, including those alongside our nation’s allies, to rehearse for joint and multinational operations. WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S AUKUS IMPACTS Given its position as the gateway to the Indian Ocean, it is no surprise that WA is at the forefront of Australia’s AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway, continuing its proud tradition as the home of Australia’s submarine fl eet. In October 2024, the Australian and Western Australian Governments announced a Defence Cooperation Agreement, to create a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson. This new development has been confirmed as the location for depot-level sustainment for nuclear-powered submarines and a critical location for Defence’s continuous naval shipbuilding enterprise. Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRFWest) is also showing excellent progress, with WA to host a rotational presence of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines from around 2027. HMAS Stirling, Australia’s largest operational naval base, has been confirmed as the homeport for the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine fleet and SRF-West signals the importance of WA’s geostrategic location for our trilateral partners. Infrastructure growth and personnel base development has been progressing at pace, including testing of capabilities to advance readiness for submarine maintenance periods. SHIPBUILDING AND SUSTAINMENT WA has always been home to naval shipbuilding, repair, maintenance, and heavy engineering industry, and Australia’s largest marine industry, facilitated through its worldclass Australian Marine Complex (AMC). This facility spans over 40 hectares and includes five precincts dedicated to shipbuilding, fabrication, support, technology, and recreational boating. The state proudly hosts 19 per cent of the Royal Australian Navy’s permanent force personnel and, alongside hosting HMAS Stirling, and provides a home base to all six of Australia’s Collins Class submarines and six AnzacClass frigates. In August 2025, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) Mogami-class frigate was confirmed as the preferred platform for Australia’s future general purpose frigate fleet. This $10 billion contract will see MHI deliver 11 new warships to Australia, with the first three ships to be produced in Japan, and the remaining eight at WA’s shipyards in Henderson. Moreover, in another major boost to regional security capabilities, WA has also been contracted to build and deliver a new fleet of medium and heavy landing craft for the Australian Army. RESOURCES AND CRITICAL MINERALS WA is famously recognised as the resources export hub of Australia, producing over 50 different minerals from 134 projects. The state is also a top producer of critical minerals essential for both the global energy transition and advanced defence technologies, including batteries, electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels. We are a leading supplier of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and mineral sands, and we have very substantial uranium deposits. WA is one of the few regions outside China with economically viable rare earth element deposits including those critical to defence technologies, particularly in areas like aerospace, electronic warfare, and advanced weapon systems. We also boast advanced critical minerals processing capabilities, with global-scale investments in battery chemical and rare earth refineries in recent years. As a well-established, reliable and ethical supplier of critical minerals and processed materials, WA is well-positioned to resolve the problems the AUKUS partners and allies have in sourcing and refining critical minerals, and in producing the baseline supplies needed for a nuclear-powered submarine fleet. DEFENCE WEST On 1 July, Defence West moved into the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as part of the newly formed Office of Defence Industries. Moving Defence West into the Premier’s own department highlights the Western Australian Government’s recognition of this industry and its critical contributions towards economic diversification. This includes future economic potential of WA’s defence industry, and the opportunities the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership presents. For further information Defence West 2 Havelock Street Perth Western Australia 6005 P: +61 8 6552 5000 E: defencewest@dpc.wa.gov.au W: www.defencewest.wa.gov.au DEFENCE JOBS QUEENSLAND Defence Jobs Queensland is focused on promoting a smart, connected and efficient industry that will deliver to your requirements. For further information, Contact Defence Jobs Queensland Department of State Development, Level 18, 1 William St, Brisbane QLD 4000 P: +61 7 3452 7100 E: diq@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au W: www.defenceindustries.qld.gov.au DEFENCE SA A major part of the State’s strong economic performance is our successful track record of winning and delivering on major projects, in addition to being the most competitive place to do business in Australia (KPMG 2006). Contact Defence SA Level 4, 151 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000 P: +61 8 8463 7140 E: enquiries@defencesa.com
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