Avalon Airport front runner for $1 billion howitzer defence project
Insiders have revealed the likely location for Geelong’s large-scale advanced manufacturing facility needed for the $1 billion howitzer defence project.
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Avalon Airport is firming as the likely location for the large-scale advanced manufacturing facility needed for the $1 billion howtizer defence project, federal government sources say.
After the federal government struck a deal last week with South Korean company Hanwha Defense last week, to build 30 self-propelled howitzers, 15 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles, and weapon locating radars, it’s understood “advanced negotiations” have placed Avalon Airport as the front runner to house the facility.
Already owned by the federal government, land at Avalon Airport could easily provide Hanwha Defense the 150,000 square metres it needs for a manufacturing facility.
Construction of the facility — required to manufacture the howitzers and ammunition resupply vehicles — expected to be about seven times the size of the MCG playing surface is expected to start next year and take about 18 months.
Production of the howtizers and ammunition resupply vehicles is expected to start in 2024.
Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said Avalon Airport would “make a first-class home for the howitzer defence project.”
“I understand that Avalon’s industry precinct is large enough to accommodate not only Hanwha’s manufacturing facilities including the armoured vehicle centre of excellence, but key supply chain contractors,” Senator Henderson said.
“The Morrison Government’s election commitment to base this $1 billion defence project in the Geelong region, announced in May 2019, is an absolute game changer for our local economy and for Victoria.
“Apart from more than 300 people to be employed directly by Hanwha, the estimated investment in the Victorian supply chain alone is $200 million which represents many more additional jobs.”
Hanwha is still in the running to secure the tender for the Land 400 Phase 3 program, which involves the manufacture of 450 infantry fighting vehicles.
The tender is expected to be awarded early next year and Hanwha has committed to basing that project in Geelong if it is successful.
Under the Gillard Labor government in 2012, the Howitzer project was canned due to budget constraints.
In 2019, the project was revived by the Coalition government on the eve election with a promise to build howitzers in the Geelong region.
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Originally published as Avalon Airport front runner for $1 billion howitzer defence project
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