Northrop Grumman has been selected to establish a manufacturing base in Australia for solid-fuel rocket engines.
To this end, Northrop Grumman will also begin collaborating with local industry, according to Breaking Defense.
A key element of the program will be the integration of Australian suppliers into the production chain, which will provide the country with access to modern technologies.
The program calls for an initial investment of $91.6 million to establish production of solid-fuel rocket engines.
Plans call for utilizing the recently modernized facilities at the Mulwala state munitions plant in New South Wales to accelerate production—starting with engines for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System by 2030.
Following this, a specialized rocket engine production facility will be established, which is expected to become operational by 2033 and ensure the serial production of various types of solid-fuel engines.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy stated that this initiative will strengthen the country’s local defense industrial base and its self-sufficiency.
“These investments will ensure the Australian Defence Force has reliable and sustainable access to the capabilities needed to defend Australia and our immediate region.”
Australia also announced that it will collaborate with DefendTex, Black Sky Industries, and Anduril Australia to explore new manufacturing methods, aiming to rapidly develop domestic industrial capabilities.
“This initiative will strengthen Australia’s defense supply chains and open up new opportunities for Australian small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the global market,” the ministry noted.
Australia has launched an ambitious program to develop domestic production of guided munitions used by its military.
The program, known as Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO), calls for spending between 26 and 36 billion Australian dollars over the next decade to build infrastructure for the production of munitions, including the GMLRS, Joint Strike Missile, and AIM-260A air-to-air missile, according to the recently released Integrated Investment Program.
