- Crisafulli Government backs defence testing with $7.5 million awarded through the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund.
- Black Sky Aerospace will establish a large-scale, 3-million-acre weapons test and evaluation launch site in Thargomindah enabling defence and aerospace equipment to be tested locally.
- Positions Western Queensland as a defence centre, with Australia's first and largest privately owned horizontal launch and guided-weapons test and evaluation range.
- Fund accelerates the growth of the Defence, Biomedical and Biofuels industries and builds sovereign capability in Queensland after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered further support for Queensland's defence industry, backing a major testing and evaluation launch project in Western Queensland, under the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund.
Queensland-based defence technology company Black Sky Aerospace has received $7.5 million to help deliver a new large-scale testing and evaluation launch site at its 3-million-acre range near Thargomindah, enabling defence and aerospace equipment to be safely tested in Queensland.
The facility will be Australia's first and only privately owned horizontal launch and guided-weapons test and evaluation range, positioning Queensland as a national leader in defence industry investment.
Once operational in mid-2028, Black Sky's MaxQ Phase 1 Infrastructure Program will provide domestic and allied users with access to large-scale test and evaluation infrastructure, with the Sovereign Industry Development Fund contributing to construction of a 2.5km runway, fixed and mobile launch infrastructure and secure explosive storage.
Black Sky's project is expected to create around 60 jobs, including construction and ongoing operational roles, while strengthening regional supply chains and supporting economic activity in Western Queensland.
Unlike the former Labor Government's haphazard approach to industry development, the Crisafulli Government's $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund is helping build sovereign industry capability and leveraging Queensland's strengths in the re-focused State Development priorities of Biomedical, Defence and Biofuels.
The Sovereign Industry Development Fund is revitalising Queensland's industrial base by supporting strategic and catalytic partnerships with industry that attract private investment, supports jobs and builds sovereign capability – including enhanced defence manufacturing, sustainment and supply chains.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was backing Queensland's sovereign industries to strengthen Australia's defence capability and grow the State's economy.
"Through the Sovereign Industry Development Fund, we're backing projects like Black Sky Aerospace that will build Queensland's defence capability, create skilled jobs and cement our reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing and defence innovation," the Deputy Premier said.
"After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is taking a strategic approach to growing Queensland's sovereign industries because we know they are critical to our economic future and our national security.
"This investment will enable critical defence systems to be tested here in Queensland, reducing reliance on overseas facilities while supporting local businesses, local workers and local supply chains.
"We're investing in projects that are ready to deliver, attract private investment and position Queensland as the destination of choice for sovereign defence industries."
Minister for Local Government, Water, Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers and Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said the project was putting Thargomindah on the map.
"Western Queensland is uniquely positioned to support Australia's growing defence industry, and this investment recognises the enormous potential in Warrego," Minister Leahy said.
"The Black Sky Aerospace project will place Thargomindah at forefront for defence testing and evaluation, attracting investment and supporting highly skilled employment for our region."
Black Sky Aerospace CEO Blake Nikolic said the investment would accelerate Australia's sovereign testing capability.
"This project represents a significant step forward in establishing Australia's sovereign testing and evaluation capability for defence and aerospace systems," Mr Nikolic said.
"The MaxQ Test and Evaluation Range Infrastructure Upgrade will provide the defence and space industry with access to large-scale testing infrastructure not currently available in Australia, supporting local supply chains and enabling faster development."
Construction will commence in late 2026, with operations to commence in 2028.
