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Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, has announced a $220 million investment in the manufacturing facilities at Mulwala, NSW and Benalla, Victoria, to expand Australia’s in-country munitions manufacturing capacity.
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The $220 million investment will see major infrastructure developments at both sides, ensuring they are equipped to support future production demands, such as 155mm artillery ammunition and includes new explosive mixers for the Mulwala facility and enhanced munition manufacturing procedures, including non-destructive testing.
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, welcomed this milestone announcement, saying, “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.”
Developed by Defence, the new Resonant Acoustic Mixing technology in place at Mulwala will produce a broader range of advanced munitions, faster and more safely. This will also increase the capacity for production of the BLU-111(AUS) aerial bombs, used by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Minister Conroy highlighted the importance of these two facilities and the infrastructure redevelopments to be delivered as part of the investment, stating, “The Mulwala and Benalla munition factories underpin Australia’s ability to develop critical propellants, explosives, and munitions for the Australian Defence Force.”
This investment has been cited as an example of the Australian government delivering on the priorities of the Defence Strategic Review and establishing local manufacturing of guided weapons and explosive ordnance.
“The ability to bring the BLU-111(AUS) into operational service as an Australian manufactured munition is a significant milestone in boosting Australia’s defence industry manufacturing capability. Our investment in these capabilities will accelerate the domestic manufacture of Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, such as 155mm artillery ammunition,” Minister Conroy said.
