Construction has commenced on a cutting-edge precision manufacturing facility at South Australia’s QPE Advanced Machining, which will boost production of complex components to support major defence programs, including future AUKUS initiatives.

The $2 million, 500m² facility, located northwest of Adelaide, is designed to accommodate advanced machining equipment capable of producing large, complex components. Once operational, the site will support high-performance, multi-face machining of parts up to eight metres in length, using advanced materials and techniques.

The project is expected to generate more than 20 highly skilled full-time jobs and is scheduled for completion in early 2026.

The facility positions QPE, a member of Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group, as a key player in supporting defence projects across land, air, space and maritime, including Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines and Collins Class submarine sustainment.

Supported through a CDIC Strategic Industry Capability grant, the facility also strengthens the company’s international collaboration opportunities, particularly with the US Navy, through the machining of nickel-aluminium bronze components.

Co-founder and Group CEO of Stärke-AMG, Al Jawhari, said the capital investment will transform the business into a complex, high-capability, defence manufacturing hub.

“We have implemented a series of strategic upgrades that significantly enhance our capability, capacity and competitiveness within the Australian and International defence sectors also allowing us to scale up our production efficiently to support the increasing demands of our industrial base,” Mr Jawhari said.

“Stärke can now deliver very complex, high-precision components for major Defence programs, which will help reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.”

Through the support of a CDIC Strategic Industry Capability grant, QPE has also achieved membership in the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), demonstrating it meets the stringent security, cyber and governance standards required for working with Defence and prime contractors.

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Photo: Al Jawhari, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Starke Group, standing at the construction site of the company’s upcoming state-of-the-art facility.