The initiative will see Northrop Grumman Australia selected as the preferred industry partner, working with Defence to stand up production capability at the government-owned Mulwala Munitions Facility. Recent upgrades to the site are expected to accelerate the timeline for bringing the capability online.
Solid rocket motors are essential for propulsion across a wide range of missile systems and are currently in high global demand, with supply chains under pressure amid rising geopolitical tensions and rearmament across major powers.
Under the plan, Australia will initially focus on producing rocket motors for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, a key precision strike capability used by the Australian Army and many allied forces. Production at Mulwala is scheduled to begin by 2030.
A larger, purpose-built Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex is also planned, with full-rate production of multiple motor types expected from 2033. This facility is intended to provide scalable output to meet both domestic requirements and potential export demand.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the investment would ensure the Australian Defence Force has reliable access to critical capabilities: “This investment will ensure the Australian Defence Force has reliable, resilient access to the capabilities needed to defend Australia and our immediate region.”
The program will also draw on local innovation, with Defence working alongside Australian companies, including DefendTex, Black Sky Industries and Anduril Australia to explore emerging manufacturing techniques. Further opportunities are expected to open up to additional Australian firms as the industrial base matures.
The announcement builds on recent progress by the Defence Science and Technology Group which successfully conducted a static test firing of the Australian-designed DRACO solid rocket motor at Woomera Range Complex in February. The test marked a significant milestone in developing sovereign expertise in energetics and missile propulsion.
Minister Conroy said the DRACO test highlighted how quickly Australia’s domestic capabilities are advancing: “It’s a major step for sovereign capability, industry collaboration and our long-term defence preparedness.”
Beyond strengthening national security, the initiative is expected to boost Australia’s defence industrial base, creating high-skilled jobs and opening pathways for small and medium-sized enterprises to integrate into global supply chains.
Rob Denney, country executive, Northrop Grumman Australia expanded on the Minister's comments saying, “Northrop Grumman’s world-leading propulsion technology will be critical to rapidly establishing solid rocket motor production in Australia, and partnering with Australian component suppliers will build a sovereign manufacturing base of a critical defence capability.”
The move reflects a broader strategic shift towards sovereign manufacturing in critical defence technologies as Australia seeks to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers and position itself as a capable contributor to allied missile production efforts in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Space Connect a preferred news source on Google.