Burgeoning opportunities for Queensland defence firms

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has opened a new manufacturing facility in Darra that will help Queensland SMEs capitalise on advanced manufacturing opportunities in the defence sector.

The Premier said Products for Industry Pty Ltd, one of 111 small and medium enterprises that form the Queensland branch of the Australian Defence and Industry Network, is typical of the kind of company that is set to benefit from the Land 400 Defence Contract.

“The Federal Government chose Rheinmetall’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle because it is the best option to keep our service men and women safe,” the Premier said.

“Rheinmetall chose Queensland as its location to build the Boxer over four other states because of our long association with defence industries, our advanced manufacturing capabilities, and because of companies like Products for Industry.”

Products for Industry (PFi) provides a wide range of products and services including custom- designed machinery, robotics, machine automation systems and safety systems.

The Premier said opportunities abounded for defence-related enterprises, from manufacturers and vocational trainers to electricians and engineers, as her Government rolls out its suite of industry roadmaps as part of the signature Advance Queensland initiative.

“We have released our Aerospace and Defence 10-year Roadmaps to accelerate the pace of growth and create sustainable jobs of the future,” the Premier said.

“We are also establishing Queensland as an international hub for Unmanned Aerial Systems, and we are pursuing supply chain opportunities within major international projects such as deep maintenance of RAAF aircraft.”

“The technologies and machinery we need to pursue these opportunities are here at PFi’s new facility, and so are the bright minds—100 of them—that can design and install, service and repair them.

“There’s no doubt small business has a big part to play in Queensland’s economic future.”