Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance
The NSW Government acknowledges the significant investment in establishing the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance (GWEO) Enterprise (the Enterprise).
The Enterprise is a national endeavour that will necessitate close collaboration with the Commonwealth, and other States and Territories to deliver the desired sovereign solutions.
NSW already hosts key facilities relevant to the Enterprise including the propellant facility at Mulwala, the missile sustainment facility at Orchard Hills and explosive ordnance depots at Myambat, Williamtown and Eden. NSW will welcome the opportunity to expand the existing footprint, and/or develop new facilities, particularly as they are located within the key regional areas of the Hunter, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and the Riverina-Murray that already boast a strong defence industry.
A key to the successful establishment of the Enterprise is access to advanced manufacturing centres and a skilled workforce. NSW is well credentialled for both, alongside proven, guaranteed supply chains, infrastructure and transport networks. Existing manufacturing centres are being supplemented with significant investments in the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, a state-of-the-art technology precinct, Tech Central, in the Sydney CBD and a new technology park in South Jerrabomberra. With the largest labour force in Australia, NSW is tackling the skilling of the future workforce head on through the development of new education training models, the advancement of TAFE programs and the introduction of Institutes of Applied Technology that will address specialist skills needs in shorter timeframes. These initiatives are underpinned by defence-related education programs inherent in the state’s leading universities.
NSW has a sound appreciation of the Commonwealth’s requirements for the Enterprise over the next decades. The short-term will likely involve the manufacture or assembly of the current inventory that will require technology transfers and the management of intellectual property in concert with the original equipment manufacturers and NSW is a proven safe pair of hands in this regard. As far as the future is concerned, NSW is well credentialled to lead the development of truly sovereign capabilities that will address evolving strategic needs.
NSW stands ready to work with the Commonwealth and organisations across the nation and bring to bear the proven innovation, manufacturing and skills from its heralded defence industry base that will create the centrepiece of the GWEO enterprise.