Australia’s Department of Defence will add a new Strategic Sales Office to sell defence technology to international allies, after a boost to Defence spending in the Federal Budget.
The Australian Defence Strategic Sales Office will be a joint effort between the Federal Government and the Defence industry, with its first sale priorities including protected mobility vehicles, weapons carriers, and radar networks.
“Australian companies will benefit from a centrally coordinated platform that proactively promotes, negotiates and drives forward their export sales,” the Department of Defence said.
“This initiative delivers on the commitment under the 2024 National Defence Strategy to support [the] Australian Defence industry to pursue export opportunities and integrate Australian companies into global supply chains.”
Defence also said today that it would establish Australia’s first missile factory, due to be built in Newcastle, New South Wales.
The factory, operated by Kongsberg Defence Australia, will be the first site outside Norway to manufacture Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. Construction is set to start in 2027.
“It will supply missiles for both the ADF and international partners, enhancing regional security and contributing to stronger and more assured global supply chain for guided weapons,” said Defence’s Chief of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Leon Phillips.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said this week that the Federal Budget would include a A$10.6 billion increase to defence spending over the next four years, with the goal of accelerating Australia’s defence capabilities and weapons development. As part of this, $1 billion in Defence spending will be brought forward into the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 budget years.
The Budget also reported a $6 billion increase in funding for the AUKUS pact’s nuclear submarine program until 2029, reaching $18 billion.
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