A new state-of-the-art innovation hub – to be known as Defence HQ – will further boost South Australia’s reputation as a powerhouse of defence, space and critical technology capability.

Construction of the new facility, underway at Lot Fourteen in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, will also support the nation’s AUKUS endeavours and will become the national corporate headquarters for Australia’s largest defence company, BAE Systems.

BAE Systems Chief Executive Officer Craig Lockhart said that the new headquarters would support strong growth for the company over the next three to five years, with the majority of expected in South Australia.

“For more than 70 years we have been delivering sovereign Defence capability for Australia from our South Australian operations. This new head office will oversee major Defence programs that will protect Australians for decades to come,” Mr Lockhart said. .

Three more projects, worth over $100 million, will be joining BAE at Defence HQ, further injecting world-class talent, capabilities and facilities into the state.

• The $60 million Australian Defence Technologies Academy, which will drive sovereign research and development of defence capabilities in South Australia and is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments.
• The $24.5 million Innovation Hub, which will be operated by Adelaide University and is being funded by the Australian ($20 million) and South Australian ($4.5 million) governments.
• The $20 million SpaceBase facility, which will be Australia’s premier site for the assembly, integration and testing of small satellites up to 250kg, funded by the South Australian Government.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said Defence HQ will also play a vital role in supporting the AUKUS agreement, which will result in South-Australian built, conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines delivered to the Royal Australian Navy from the early 2040s.

“AUKUS is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and my government is pulling every lever to ensure South Australia captures its full economic potential,” Mr Malinauskas said.

South Australian Minister for State Development and Defence and Space Industries Chris Picton said the construction of Defence HQ is also an important infrastructure project which will deliver significant economic benefits for South Australia.

More than 300 workers will be employed across the construction phase of the project, and once completed, the 11-storey Defence HQ building will also double the current workforce population at Lot Fourteen to more than 3,000 people.

“Defence HQ will driving high value job creation, attracting investment, and reinforcing Lot Fourteen’s continued growth as a highly respected innovation district,” Mr Picton said.

Lot Fourteen spans seven hectares and brings together members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem including start-ups, corporations, mentors, researchers and investors to collaborate, share and grow.

It’s home to more than 160 technology companies as well as Commonwealth and State government-funded agencies specialising in defence, space, critical technologies and cyber capabilities.

Construction of Defence HQ is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.