- Crisafulli Government launches $6.38 million partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia to establish mobile rocket test and evaluation capability in Queensland.
- Investment unlocked through the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund, strengthening advanced aerospace research, rocket motor manufacturing and defence innovation.
- The Crisafulli Government is accelerating the growth of the Defence, Biomedical and Biofuels industries and building sovereign capability in Queensland after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is launching Queensland’s sovereign industrial capability to new heights, investing $6.38 million to establish a mobile rocket test and evaluation capability that will strengthen the State’s advanced aerospace and defence industries.
The funding, awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia through the flagship $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund, will support the development of a mobile launch rail, test range infrastructure and a Queensland-made rocket motor capability for high-speed flight testing.
The investment is part of the Crisafulli Government’s plan to rebuild Queensland’s sovereign industry capability after a decade of decline under Labor, backing high-value industries that create skilled jobs, attract private investment and strengthen Australia’s ability to develop and manufacture critical technologies locally.
Developed in partnership with the University of Queensland, Airways Trade Australia and Rocket Technologies International, the mobile test range will give national and international partners greater access to facilities for testing experimental high-speed aerospace technologies.
The projects will strengthen Queensland’s position in advanced aerospace and hypersonic research and development, test and evaluation, and rocket motor manufacturing for defence applications, while helping build more resilient sovereign supply chains.
The announcement comes off the back of Crisafulli Government securing Land Forces for Queensland, for at least 2030 and 2032, and the new Defence Q, which is focused on securing a greater share of global defence investment as demand for defence capability accelerates worldwide.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was focused on building Queensland’s industrial capacity, as well as making the State a national leader in test and evaluation capabilities.
“After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of building Queensland’s industrial strength and supercharging our sovereign capability to make more things locally,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“Our $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund is backing businesses and technologies that will help secure Queensland’s economic future, strengthen our defence industry and create new highly skilled jobs.
“This $6.38 million investment in Lockheed Martin will help establish a critical rocket testing capability right here in Queensland, strengthening our local expertise in advanced aerospace technology and rocket motor manufacturing.
“By partnering with globally significant and recognised industry leaders such as Lockheed Martin, the Crisafulli Government is demonstrating our commitment to securing defence industry business and highly skilled jobs for Queenslanders.
“This is about moving beyond talk and delivering practical investments that build Queensland’s industrial base, strengthen sovereign supply chains and create lasting economic opportunities for Queenslanders.”
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Major General (Retd) Jeremy King CSM said the partnership would position Australia at the forefront of high-speed advanced aerospace technology, development and would support Australian Government Defence Priorities.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Major General (Retd) Jeremy King CSM said the partnership would position Queensland at the forefront of high-speed advanced aerospace technology, development and support.
“This investment supports a partnership that will deliver new advanced manufacturing and high technology capability in Queensland that will support the defence sector by accelerating the development, testing and validation process,” Major General King said.
“By connecting Queensland industry and research capability with global defence expertise, we can advance domestic innovation, strengthen supply chain participation and expand opportunities for collaboration with industries such as space and aviation.”
