Grants support local defence industry

MORE than $800,000 of Victorian government funding will support businesses competing for supply chain contracts at Avalon’s Hanwha Defence Australia facility and other major defence businesses.

Victorian Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks visited Hanwha’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence at the Avalon Airport Industrial Precinct on Monday this week to announce the recipients of Round 5 of the Supply Chain Uplift Program.

The 11 businesses have received matched grants of up to $100,000 to support them undertaking projects including systems or facility upgrades, obtaining necessary industry accreditations, and further research and product development programs.

Hanwha Defence Australia is delivering the federal government’s $1 billion Land 8116 Phase 1 Protected Mobile Fires program to create the Huntsman vehicles (AS9 Self Propelled Howitzer and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle); and the $5 billion to $7 billion Land 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program to produce the AS21 Redback.

“The support from the Victorian government through the Supply Chain Uplift Program to SMEs is an excellent ongoing investment in defence industry,” Hanwha Defence Australia and Europe/UK chief executive officer Ben Hudson said.

“From capital investment to DISP accreditation, it’s great to see SMEs investing to make sure they are ready to do business with us in current and future defence programs.”

The two Hanwha projects will create more than 1000 direct jobs and hundreds more across the 2500 businesses in Victoria’s defence supply chain.

“We’ve set out a vision for Victoria to be a defence and aerospace powerhouse – and we’re backing our industry to grow and thrive,” Mr Brooks said.

“The Supply Chain Uplift Program gives Victorian manufacturers the best shot at winning substantial defence contracts, helping to create jobs and boost the economy.”

For more information about the Supply Chain Uplift Program, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, head to business.vic.gov.au/scup