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Lockheed Martin Australia and Avalon Airport Australia will explore opportunities for the advancement of guided weapons production under a newly signed teaming agreement.
Lockheed Martin Australia will lease a facility, owned by Avalon Airport, to store essential equipment required for the domestic assembly of guided multiple launch rocket system munitions.
The agreement is expected to support the objectives of the Australian government’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan.
The test equipment, tooling, jigs and fixtures will be stored at the site before being transported to stand up Defence’s new domestic manufacturing facility.
“This is an important milestone in the delivery of GMLRS production by the end of 2025 and the establishment of a sovereign guided weapons manufacturing capability in Australia,” Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Warren McDonald said.
“Linfox is a well-known and trusted Australian company with a network of partners across the nation.
“Our partnership will uplift local industry, provide regional economic benefits and support government objectives under the GWEO Enterprise.
“We are also exploring opportunities to establish a permanent facility at the Avalon Airport for the production and assembly of non-explosive munition components.
“These Australian-made components will boost domestic supply chain resilience and support industry uplift, underscoring a national commitment to establishing sovereign defence capabilities and strengthening Australia’s industrial base.”
Avalon Airport Australia is owned and operated by the Linfox Group, Asia-Pacific’s largest privately owned logistics company with an established transport and logistics hub that will facilitate and expedite Lockheed Martin’s operational and production requirements.
As a GWEO strategic partner, Lockheed Martin Australia is working closely with the Commonwealth, Defence, industry and academia to advance domestic production of guided weapons in Australia.
“Avalon is proud to partner with Lockheed Martin in this exciting new chapter. This partnership recognises Avalon’s strategic position, leveraging Australia’s most skilled and established industrial workforce, positioned between Melbourne and Geelong and alongside key Defence operations at Point Wilson,” Linfox Airports executive chairman David Fox said.
“Lockheed Martin Australia’s decision to establish a facility at Avalon further strengthens our growing industrial precinct, which already supports more than 2,000 workers on site.
“This development underscores Avalon’s critical role in supporting Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities.”
