Government invests $220 million in local ammo plants

The federal government has reported that they are investing $220 million into weapons production at the Commonwealth-owned manufacturing plants in Mulwala in New South Wales and Benalla in Victoria. 

“I welcome the Government and Minister Conroy’s announcement to invest in this critical capability will support the significant step-change in technology development and innovation necessary to continue to grow a highly skilled workforce and create the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future,” said Thales Australia and New Zealand CEO, Jeff Connolly. 

The sites are operated by Thales Australia, the biggest provider of explosive ordnance to the Australian Defence Force. 

The investment will finance framework redevelopments at each site, including 155mm ordnance ammo, new explosive blenders at Mulwala, upgraded ammo-producing techniques, and non-destructive testing. 

Conroy said the two sites were fundamental for the country’s capacity to foster basic charges, explosives and weapons. 

“Improving Australia’s ability to manufacture the munitions our defence force needs is not only critical to meeting the strategic challenges we face as a nation, it will also support local industry and well-paid, skilled local jobs,” said Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy. 

Developed by Defence, the new resounding acoustic blending innovation set up at Mulwala will deliver a more extensive scope of advanced weapons, and increment the limit regarding the creation of the BLU-111(AUS) aerial bombs, utilised by the Royal Australian Air Force. 

“The Albanese Government’s investment in these cutting-edge technologies demonstrates we are delivering on the Defence Strategic Review’s recommendations to develop advanced munitions manufacturing in Australia.  

The Mulwala and Benalla munition factories underpin Australia’s ability to develop critical propellants, explosives and munitions for the Australian Defence Force,” Conroy added.