Capabilities
Victoria’s world-class aerospace design and manufacturing capabilities make a significant contribution to Australia’s military aerospace industry.
Victoria has extensive experience in naval shipbuilding, with more than 40 ships constructed in the State since the 1940s.
Victoria has extensive capabilities in the design, development, manufacturing and sustainment of a range of military vehicles.
With more than 350 digital and cyber security businesses, Victoria is a leading provider of digital defence capabilities to the Australian Defence Organisation.
Victoria brings together the world’s best and brightest minds in defence research and development (R&D). With so many facilities in one state, Victoria is the nation’s hub for innovation and specialist defence knowledge.
Victoria is home to key defence infrastructure with Guided Weapon and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) applications, including munitions manufacture in Benalla (one of only two locations in Australia) and storage & distribution facilities in Mangalore, HMAS Cerberus & Point Wilson.
State of Defence in Victoria
29,000
Defence industry jobs
$10.9bn
Direct Economic Contribution
$4.9bn
Gross Value Added benefits across the supply chain
$210mn
Defence R&D undertaken in Victoria
$1.7bn
Annual exports
Victorian Defence and Space Network
The Victorian Defence and Space Network (VDSN) was officially launched on 11 October 2023 by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles MP. The VDSN is a Victorian Government initiative that supports and promotes Victorian defence and space industry. As the second-largest contributor to the Defence budget, Victoria is integral to national defence, economy and security.
Events
From 4 to 6 November the Victorian Government will host 64 Victorian defence businesses on the Victorian Government Pavilion at Indo Pacific 2025 in Sydney.
The 2024 Land Forces was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11 to 13 September. The 2026 Land Forces will be held on the 6-8 October 2026 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The 2025 Avalon Airshow was held from 25 to 30 March 2025 at the Avalon Airport. The Victorian Government hosted 72 Defence, AAM and Aerospace companies on the Pavilion - the biggest yet! The next Avalon Airshow will be held in 2027
Industry Support
Are you looking for grant opportunities? We offer grants and other support for companies that operate in the defence industry sector in Victoria.