Victorian Government grants to support Defence industry supply chain

The Victorian Government is investing in the state’s defence capabilities and expertise by offering support to supply chain businesses to help them secure major contracts.  

Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty Ben Carroll visited the site of Hanwha Defense Australia’s $170 million Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence, which is under construction at the Avalon Airport Industrial Precinct. 

“We want to see more Victorian-made products used by global defence firms like Hanwha, which is why we’re helping small and medium businesses to compete for and win major contracts,” Minister Carroll stated. 

Hanwha is one of the final two bidders for the Commonwealth’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program, and if successful, the Avalon site will produce the company’s infantry fighting vehicles.  

The site will also produce the company’s self-propelled howitzers for the Commonwealth’s LAND 8116 program, creating over 300 new highly skilled jobs in design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. 

“It’s great to see the progress of the Hanwha site, which will produce self-propelled howitzers for the Australian Army, bring hundreds of jobs to the region and create many more opportunities for Victorian businesses,” Member for Lara Ella George added. 

During the visit, Minister Carroll also announced the first round of grant recipients under the Victorian Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program.  

The program aims to support local companies in becoming part of Hanwha’s supply chain by assisting them in meeting specific technological, business systems, and accreditation requirements. 

The first five companies to receive grants under the program are all specialists in land systems defence. They include APV Corporation, which is based in Campbellfield and will develop a specialized military seatbelt, and Hannagan Solutions, which is in Waurn Ponds and will create custom textiles to protect and camouflage military vehicles and soldiers. 

Australian Precision Technologies and Redline Engineering will also benefit from the grants by strengthening their cyber security systems, while Diamond Defence will introduce a new quality management system to achieve industry certification. 

The Victorian Government has backed Hanwha in establishing its defence manufacturing operations in the state. Victoria’s defence sector consists of roughly 6,300 businesses, employs around 24,300 people across the sector, and contributes $8.4 billion to the state’s economy each year. 

“We are pleased to be working closely with the Victorian Government, who have supported not just us but a range of companies in our supply chain,” Managing Director Richard Cho of Hanwha Defense Australia commented.