Land

PROVEN LAND CAPABILITIES

Victoria has proven capabilities in the design, development, manufacturing, and sustainment of a range of military vehicles, as well as the delivery and support of land equipment, products, systems and services to the Australian Defence Force.

Over 570 companies are involved in land defence in Victoria, including the manufacturing of protected vehicles, combat systems, munitions and defence apparel. The Department of Defence’s Land Systems and Armoured Vehicles Divisions are also based in Victoria.

The state’s land systems capabilities include:

• Ballistic protection for personnel and vehicles
• Combat clothing and personal load carrying equipment
• Communications, command and control systems
• Military training and support
• Munitions and countermeasures
• Protected vehicles
• Support logistics
• Vehicle design and testing
• Vehicle upgrades and enhancements

LEADING COMPANIES

Hanwha Defense Australia will manufacture its K9 self-propelled howitzers at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence in the Avalon Airport Industrial Precinct.

Thales’s Bushmaster and Hawkei vehicles are manufactured in Bendigo and Supacat’s and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles’ engineering design facilities are located in Melbourne. Thales also operates the Commonwealth-owned munitions factory in Benalla, where it produces and exports munitions to 17 countries globally.

Elbit Systems of Australia produces systems and sensors for land forces covering all aspects of combat vehicles and has recently established its Human and Machine Teaming Centre of Excellence in Port Melbourne.

Another Victorian company, Australian Defence Apparel, has been supplying the Australian Defence Force for 100 years. The company is widely recognised as being at the forefront of defence combat clothing and general protective equipment.