Lockheed Martin Australia signs agreement with Avalon Airport to advance guided weapons production

Canberra-based Lockheed Martin Australia has signed a Teaming Agreement with Avalon Airport Australia in Geelong to lease a facility, owned by the Airport, to store essential equipment required for the domestic assembly of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions. This will support the objectives of the Australian Government’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan, the company says.

Test equipment, tooling, jigs and fixtures will be stored at the site before being transported to stand up Defence’s new domestic manufacturing facility. Lockheed Martin Australia says it is ‘exploring opportunities’ with the Airport management to establish a non-explosive GMLRS manufacturing facility at Avalon.

The company and Defence have previously said Lockheed Martin’s Precision Guided Missile (PrSM) has also been ordered by the Australian Army. This will likely also be part-manufactured there. Defence has not yet named the location of the domestic manufacturing facility, the Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex (AWMC), which will manufacture all-up rounds.

Defence has also not disclosed as yet the location for the manufacture of the missiles’ warheads and Solid Rocket Motors. The latter will be built at a Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex (RMMC) and several teams are bidding for all or part of the RMMC program: NIOA/L3Harris, Lockheed Martin/Thales, Northrop Grumman, Anduril Australia and Australian SME Black Town Aerospace.

Avalon Airport Australia is owned and operated by the Linfox Group, the Asia Pacific’s largest privately-owned logistics company. It says its established transport and logistics hub will facilitate and expedite Lockheed Martin’s operational and production requirements. explore opportunities for the advancement of guided weapons production in

“This is an important milestone in the delivery of GMLRS production by the end of 2025 and the establishment of a sovereign guided weapons manufacturing capability in Australia,” said Warren McDonald,  Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive, highlighting the significance of the agreement. “Linfox is a well-known and trusted Australian company with a network of partners across the nation. Our partnership will uplift local industry, provide regional economic benefits, and support government objectives under the GWEO Enterprise.”

As a GWEO Strategic Partner, Lockheed Martin Australia says it is working closely with the Commonwealth, Defence, industry and academia to advance domestic production of guided weapons in Australia.

“We are also exploring opportunities to establish a permanent facility at Avalon Airport for the production and assembly of non-explosive munition components,” added McDonald. “These Australian-made components will boost domestic supply chain resilience and support industry uplift — underscoring a national commitment to establishing sovereign defence capabilities and strengthening Australia’s industrial base.”

David Fox, Executive Chairman of Linfox Airports, welcomed the Teaming Agreement. “This partnership recognises Avalon’s strategic position — leveraging Australia’s most skilled and established industrial workforce, positioned between Melbourne and Geelong and alongside key Defence operations at Point Wilson,” he said.

Hanwha Defence Australia has also established its $170 million armoured vehicle centre of excellence (H-ACE) at Avalon Airport and is manufacturing A9 self-propelled howitzers, A10 ammunition resupply vehicles and Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) for the Australian Army there.

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s decision to establish a facility at Avalon further strengthens our growing industrial precinct, which already supports more than 2,000 workers on site. This development underscores Avalon’s critical role in supporting Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities,” said Mr Fox.