Tasmanian manufacturing shines on the global stage

The strength of Tasmania’s advanced manufacturing and defence was on full display to the world at the 2024 Land Forces International Defence Exposition in Melbourne last week.

Premier and Minister for Trade and Major Investment, Jeremy Rockliff, said our Government has proudly hosted a Tasmanian stand at Land Forces since 2016 delivering great results and connections to the local industry, as we boost Tasmania’s global reputation in advanced manufacturing and defence industries capability. 

“In 2018, I had the pleasure of introducing the Hanwha Group to the Elphinstone Group at Land Forces in Adelaide,” Premier Rockliff said. 

“That relationship has gone from strength to strength, with the current Land 400 Phase 3 project to deliver 129 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the Australian Army, now Tasmania’s largest ever defence supply contract.  

“Our Government invested $5 million to back Elphinstone’s bid with Hanwha for the Land 400 project. 

“The expected return was estimated at $100 million to the Tasmanian economy if successful, now that contract is valued at $170 million for participating Tasmanian businesses, creating 30 new jobs in construction and retain a further 28 staff in the North West region. 

“This is just one outstanding example of Tasmania delivering world-class machining and products to the national defence agenda. 

This year ten Tasmanian manufacturers and the Australian Maritime College showcased their design and engineering capability to the world in Melbourne, and Premier Rockliff wished them all success. 

Last week’s expo had more than 20,000 attendees ranging from high-ranking government and military officials through to buyers and executives from defence contractors from all around the world.

Tasmanian companies taking part in this year’s Land Forces expo were CBG Systems, Currawong Engineering, Elphinstone, HENSOLDT Australia, Lightning Protection International, Jayben Group, Performatec, Pivot Maritime International, Sentinel Boats and Storemasta.

“By bringing together our manufacturers under the one Defence Tasmania banner we are leveraging the Tasmanian reputation for collaboration, innovation and quality which has seen several hundred delegates speak with our participants over the three-day event,” Premier Rockliff said.

“Tasmanian companies have identified major new projects to potentially supply into. We expect this will translate to more contracts in the coming years as supplier relationships continue to grow in new and existing markets.

“We estimate that since 2019 more than $350 million in defence contracts have been awarded to Tasmanian companies and we will continue to build on this success through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.”

Comments attributable to Jayben Director Allan Johnson:
“Both the launch and recovery systems recently went through Defence’s mobility trials, and they are now ready for use by the Australian Army, and having our new launch system on display at Land Forces allows us to showcase the new launch system to other major primes and international defence forces. 
“Major defence contractors are also interested in Jayben’s communications and vision systems, and we are having discussions of potential integration of our systems into other defence platforms and capabilities.” 

Comments attributable to CBG Systems’ CEO Javier Herbon:
“CBG Systems is very proud to be contributing Australian manufactured products to world leading capability for the Australian Army. 
“We have a strong relationship with Hanwha Defence Australia and are also currently contracted by Hanwha Defence Australia to supply their SolarSigmaShield mobile camouflage system for the Australian Army’s Protected Mobile Fires self-propelled howitzers under LAND 8116 phase 1.”

For more information on how we are supporting our defence supply industries go to www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/business/sectors/defence