A new Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has officially opened at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, marking a significant expansion of Australia’s aircraft sustainment capability. The $200 million facility will serve as a regional hub for the maintenance and long-term sustainment of military aircraft for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and partner nations. Shaped by early concept work driven by Defence SA, the construction project was led by Renewal SA and BESIX Watpac. The facility will enable long-term deep maintenance of the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to be carried out onshore ...

South Australia’s defence industry has reached a new milestone, generating more than $2 billion in economic value for the past financial year, reinforcing the state’s position as a national leader in defence capability. New data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights South Australia’s standout performance, leading the major states on a per‑capita basis for both defence economic output and defence industry employment. In 2024-25, South Australia generated around $1,060 in defence Gross Value Added (GVA) per person, almost three times higher than New South Wales, which recorded $381 per person. Overall, the defence sector contributed $2.015 billion in GVA, ...

Two South Australian defence companies have entered into a new partnership to support the United Kingdom’s nuclear submarine program, strengthening local industry involvement in AUKUS Pillar I work. Under the agreement, Aurizn, a leading provider of cutting-edge technology solutions, will provide specialist technical support for electrical battery systems as part of PMB Defence’s delivery of advanced submarine battery capability to the Royal Navy submarine fleet. Aurizn Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Humble said the partnership brings together complementary expertise from both companies. “We are pleased to partner with PMB Defence on this important program,” Ms Humble said. “This collaboration brings together ...

South Australian manufacturer REDARC Defence & Space has a secured a major contract to produce critical components for the Australian Army’s new Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, as part of LAND 400 Phase 3. Under a build‑to‑print partnership with Hanwha Defence Australia, REDARC will manufacture a suite of complex electrical and control system components, critical for the vehicle's operation, mobility, power architecture and communications management. The units, produced at REDARC’s advanced manufacturing and technology hub in Lonsdale, will form the “electronic nervous system” of the Redback IFV, supporting power distribution and signal routing. REDARC Defence & Space Executive General Manager Scott ...

South Australia has marked a major Defence milestone, with the first Australian‑made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles successfully test‑fired at the Woomera Test Range. The successful live firing demonstrates the Australian Army’s long‑range strike capability and builds on the establishment of Australia’s first missile assembly facility at Port Wakefield, launched in December 2025 as a cornerstone of Australia’s sovereign guided weapons enterprise. The surface‑to‑surface GMLRS missile delivers precision strike effects beyond traditional artillery range and is launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), acquired under the Australian Army’s long‑range fires program. Minister for Defence Industry Pat ...

Saab Australia has established a dedicated test and integration capability for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyer combat system upgrades, being undertaken from South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard. The Hobart Australian Interface Reference Site recently opened at Saab’s Sovereign Combat Systems Collaboration Centre (SCSCC), based at Mawson Lakes in South Australia, enabling advanced integration and testing of combat system functionality prior to installation on the upgraded destroyers. The facility supports Saab’s delivery of the Australian Interface (AI), a key component of the Navy’s combat system architecture and a derivative of the Australian Combat Management System (AusCMS), which is designed, developed ...

Aurizn has achieved a significant milestone with the delivery of a secure communications capability for Hanwha Defence Australia, supporting the Commonwealth’s LAND 8116 Phase 1 program for the Huntsman family of vehicles. Working closely with Hanwha Defence Australia, Aurizn developed and integrated a secure communications system designed to protect sensitive information as it moves between different onboard networks. The system ensures that operational information can be shared without compromising security. The system was engineered and tested inside Aurizn’s ITAR‑Controlled Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) in South Australia. Representatives from Hanwha Defence Australia took part in acceptance testing, confirming the system’s performance ...

For commerce student Ben Scott, stepping into Defence SA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Internship Program gave him the hands-on experience, confidence and professional networks needed to launch into a meaningful career. Ben joined the program while completing his Bachelor of Commerce at Adelaide University, hoping to gain real‑world experience in accounting. What he discovered was a supportive environment where he could apply his studies, build new skills and explore career pathways he hadn’t previously considered. “The internship program has directly supported my studies. I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned, build connections and access valuable networking opportunities,” Ben ...

South Australia’s new $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) is set to be completed weeks ahead of schedule, marking a major milestone for the state’s defence sector. Construction of the multi‑hangar aircraft facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh will finish in early March, more than a month earlier than originally planned. Shaped by early concept work driven by Defence SA, the project has been led by Renewal SA and BESIX Watpac. Set to be delivered on budget and ahead of schedule, the facility will be handed over to Australia’s Department of Defence for final fit‑outs, before becoming operational mid‑year. ...

The Australian Government has pledged $3.9 billion towards delivery of the new Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne. Home of construction of Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet, projections show an estimated investment of $30 billion will be required over coming decades to build the yard, which will continue until the 2040s. This projected investment is comprised of: Area 1 - approximately $5 billion for fabrication Area 2 - approximately $8 billion for outfitting Area 3 - more than $15 billion for consolidation, testing, launching and commissioning. This is in addition to works that are already underway, including enabling ...