This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
HANWHA Defense Australia will develop its $170 million Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence in the Avalon Airport Industrial Precinct, boosting employment opportunities for the Geelong region.
The major defence manufacturing facility is anticipated to bring more than 300 new jobs to the region, including highly skilled roles in design, engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Additionally, throughout the two year construction phase beginning later in 2022 more than 100 jobs will be generated.
“The development of an elite defence production facility cements Geelong’s reputation as a manufacturing hub, bringing hundreds of highly skilled jobs to the region,” said John Eren, member for Lara.
The 32,000sqm facility will be used by Hanwha for the construction of self-propelled howitzers to deliver the federal government’s approximately $1 billion LAND 8116 program, which was awarded to the South Korean defence company in December 2021.
“We’re backing Hanwha to make the Geelong region its home because we know it will grow the economy for years to come,” said Martin Pakula, minister for industry support and recovery.
Hanwha and the Victorian government signed a memorandum of understanding in January of last year, formalising a long-term partnership to support the corporations defence manufacturing operations within the state.
Currently the defence sector in Australia bringing in $8.4 billion per annum and supports approximately 36,000 jobs.
“Victoria continues to lead the way in advanced manufacturing and this state-of-the-art facility in Avalon will create hundreds of jobs and deliver major benefits for local businesses in the supply chain,” added Pakula.
According to the state government, the new project will stimulate $200 million in flow-on investment, as well as further local jobs and export opportunities.
“Avalon is the gateway to Greater Geelong and Hanwha’s investment highlights the huge manufacturing opportunity for the region,” said Lisa Neville, member for Bellarine.
Geelong has been the recipient of significant investment in recent times, particularly in Victoria’s largest contiguous growth area, Armstrong Creek, where Stockland recently purchased of a 12-hectare site.
Hanwha established its Melbourne-based Australian division back in 2019, with the corporation in South Korea also dealing in the aerospace, fintech, mining and clean energy sectors.
Hanwha is also currently one of the two remaining bidders for the federal government’s LAND 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program, which would lead to a further ~1,000 jobs for the Geelong region and $5,7 billion for the state economy, assuming they are successful.
“The Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence will become the home of Hanwha tracked vehicle operations in Australia and, if successful under the Land 400 phase 3 program, the home of our Redback family of vehicles for both the Australian Defence Force and global markets,” concluded Richard Cho, managing director of Hanwha Defense Australia.
