The Allan Labor Government is backing Victoria's ability to contribute to AUKUS, signing an agreement with two of the largest defence companies in the world.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks today attended a signing ceremony at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney to formalise a memorandum of understanding with H&B Defence, strengthening Victoria's defence supply chain and industrial capabilities.
H&B Defence is a joint venture between the USA's largest military ship builder Huntington Ingalls Industries and British defence engineering company Babcock International Group. The company was established to support the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program.
Under the agreement, H&B Defence will work with the Victorian Government to support global market access for Victorian businesses and attract new defence-related investments to grow Victoria's industrial base.
The agreement will also support increased collaboration with education and training providers to pilot new defence-focused skills programs and deliver supply chain uplift programs to support Victorian businesses to better comply with US and UK shipbuilding requirements.
The Victorian Defence Vision Statement outlines the Labor Government's vision to leverage the state's nation-leading capabilities in advanced manufacturing, workforce talent and defence-related research and development, which contribute around $10.9 billion annually to our economy and employ over 29,000 workers across Victoria.
Released last year, the Economic Growth Statement aims to back Victoria's defence supply chain to grow, win work and contribute to AUKUS.
As stated by Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks
"Victoria's agreement with H&B Defence draws on the expertise of two of the largest defence companies in the world and will support our highly skilled defence workforce."
As stated by H&B Defence Managing Director Tim Brown
"We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to further position the state's workforce and supply chain to seize global defence manufacturing opportunities."
