South Australia's defence capabilities will be significantly boosted with construction of the new state-of-the-art Innovation Centre at Lot Fourteen underway.
To be known as Defence HQ, the new 11-storey building will be a focal point for defence, space and critical technologies and will support the nation's AUKUS endeavours.
The new facility will provide a platform to accelerate the growth of defence capabilities, innovation, research commercialisation and business for South Australia.
BAE Systems Australia will establish its new SA headquarters at Defence HQ, which will allow the major defence contractor to be at the centre of South Australia's defence and critical technologies innovation. It will provide greater connectivity for their operations and partnerships at Osborne Naval Shipyard and Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Tonsley Innovation District and Findon Technical College.
BAE Systems will be joined at the new building by three projects totalling more than $100 million, injecting world-class talent, capabilities and facilities into South Australia.
Projects in the Defence HQ building include:
- $60 million Australian Defence Technologies Academy, funded by the Australian ($30 million) and South Australian ($30 million) governments
- $24.5 million Innovation Hub, funded by the Australian ($20 million) and South Australian ($4.5 million) governments
- $20 million SpaceBase, fully funded by the South Australian Government.
The addition of Defence HQ is expected to double the workforce population at Lot Fourteen to more than 3,000 people.
Innovation Hub will be operated by Adelaide University, fostering a culture of collaboration between research, industry and government to support more effective translation and commercialisation of research and technology in South Australia.
Australian owned company Built has been appointed as the builder, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2028. More than 300 workers will be employed across the construction phase of the project.
Quotes attributable to SA Premier Peter Malinauskas:
"The new Defence HQ further cements South Australia's role as a leading hub for high-value jobs and innovation.
"AUKUS is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and my government is pulling every lever to ensure South Australia captures its full economic potential.
"Defence HQ strengthens Lot Fourteen's position as a powerhouse of defence, space and critical technology capability, helping create the jobs and industries of the future here in South Australia."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Australian Government is proud to invest in the new state-of-the-art Innovation Hub that will offer dynamic and thriving spaces for innovation and business growth.
"Once complete, the Hub will be a place to foster ideas, accelerate research and support industry investment.
"This visionary project will establish the Hub as a leading innovation and collaboration district for decades to come."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy:
"AUKUS will be the greatest industrial endeavour ever undertaken in Australia, and South Australia is at the heart of it.
"The Australian Government is proud to be co-funding this new facility and Lot Fourteen, which will deliver first-class training and innovation to South Australia as a defence state.
"Through AUKUS, we are ensuring access to world-leading defence capability, developing a highly skilled workforce and supporting jobs for decades to come."
Quotes attributable to SA Minister for State Development Chris Picton:
"Defence HQ will deliver significant economic benefits for South Australia, driving high value job creation, attracting investment, and reinforcing Lot Fourteen's continued growth as a highly respected innovation district.
"South Australia is the Defence state and a leading hub for space activity, but we must continue to evolve to ensure we have the highly skilled workforce and capabilities to drive this momentum forward.
"As South Australia prepares to deliver the nation's largest ever defence project, Lot Fourteen has an important role to play in bringing together the capability, technology and talent needed to support AUKUS endeavours."
Quotes attributable to BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Craig Lockhart:
"For more than 70 years we have been delivering sovereign Defence capability for Australia from our South Australian operations. This new head office will oversee major Defence programs that will protect Australians for decades to come.
"Establishing a new head office in the centre of Adelaide also reflects our strong partnership with the South Australian Government and the importance of ensuring we are an attractive employer that enables teams to work in an environment that inspires them to thrive and can accommodate our plans for employee growth in coming years.
"We expect to hire some 1300 employees in 2026, with 80% of our growth in engineering, trades and production roles. This recruitment tempo will be maintained for at least the next three to five years, with most of our growth expected in South Australia."
