Queensland has set its sights on becoming the home of the Land Forces defence-industry expo after they won the rights to host the 2030 event.
And the state government says they have been given right of refusal for the 2032 event.
This year’s event was held in Perth, WA, from October 6-8 and police were given extra powers to protect it. The Perth event and the 2024 expo in Melbourne were hit by protests with Victoria due to hold it again in 2028.
Land Forces is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest land defence expo and gathers defence, government, industry and academic leaders from across the Indo-Pacific to showcase new military hardware and secure contracts.
The Queensland Government is keen to use expo to promote the state’s credential as a defence hub; the state is already home to RAAF Base Amberley (population 5500), reportedly the largest airbase in the Southern Hemisphere.
In August, the government launched Defence Q to help industries partner up with the Australian Defence Force for advanced manufacturing and testing and development of high-tech defence systems (such as missiles and drones).
The government says its $180.6 billion Sovereign Industry Development Fund has attracted more than $193 million in spending on defence projects so far, creating over 2470 jobs.
QUEENSLAND CHASES DEFENCE DOLLARS
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Jarrod Bleijie claims that securing Land Forces 2030 will reinforce the state’s defence industry.
“Securing Land Forces 2030 is a major coup for Queensland and recognition of our state’s growing importance to Australia’s defence future,” Bleijie says.
“Queensland will give the event the stability and support from Government it needs and showcase the state’s world-class defence and manufacturing capabilities on the global stage.
“Queensland is already home to some of Australia’s most significant defence assets, including a large Army presence, advanced manufacturing capability and growing sovereign industry expertise.
“We’re making the case to be the permanent home for Land Forces so consider this ‘shots fired’.”
AMDA Foundation Limited CEO Justin Giddings claims the 2030 expo will further strengthen ties between industry and government (defence).
“We welcome the government’s support in bringing Land Forces 2030 to Brisbane,” he says.
“Land Forces has grown into a globally recognised event that showcases capability, opens doors for industry and helps build the relationships needed to turn opportunity into practical outcomes.”
TASMANIA CHASES MORE DEFENCE BUSINESS
Tasmania sent a delegation to the Perth expo to secure new business for more than 70 companies.
More than $800m in defence contracts have gone to Tasmanian businesses in seven years.
Business and Industry Minister Felix Ellis said the expo was a chance for companies to sign new deals.
“The global defence sector presents significant opportunities for Tasmanian businesses, with Australia alone investing $425 billion to strengthen defence capability over the next decade,” he says.
On display were several Tasmanian systems, including an advanced maritime vessel, a trailer that can withstand harsh environments, a mobile camouflage system and a portable maritime simulator.
Advanced maritime technologies also featured as SubSea Craft were shown alongside Defence Tasmania and Tasmanian-based Imbros’s underwater drone.
Ellis says recent contracts that highlight Tasmania’s growing capability as a defence supplier include a $83m contract for CBG Systems from BAE Systems Maritime Australia for the construction of a new Hunter-class frigate.
For more about the expo, visit landforces.com.au
