$170m manufacturing facility in VIC Geelong to create 300 new jobs

Victoria’s Geelong region is about to welcome more than 300 new jobs with the delivery of a major defence manufacturing facility in Avalon. 

Supported by the State Government, the development of the $170 million Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence will not only strengthen Victoria’s defence capabilities, but it will also generate hundreds of highly skilled local jobs in several industries including in design, engineering and advanced manufacturing. 

“We’re backing Hanhwa to make the Geelong region its home because we know it will grow the economy for years to come. 

“Victoria continues to lead the way in advanced manufacturing and this state-of-the-art facility in Avalon will create hundreds of jobs and deliver major benefits for local businesses in the supply chain,” Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said. 

Hanhwa Defense Australia is going to build the new facility at the Avalon Airport Industrial Precinct where it will manufacture self-propelled howitzers in support of the Australian Government’s $1 billion LAND 8116 program. 

The state’s supply chain is expected to directly benefit from the development of this facility, with a projected $200 million in flow-on investment to the region. 

“The development of an elite defence production facility cements Geelong’s reputation as a manufacturing hub, bringing hundreds of highly skilled jobs to the region,” Member for Lara John Eren said. 

“This is great news for Geelong – we can’t wait to see the job and investment opportunities this manufacturing facility will bring to the Geelong region,” Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said. 

In January last year, the Victorian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hanhwa Defense Australia, formalising a long-term relationship that will support the operations of the new manufacturing facility. 

“Avalon is the gateway to Greater Geelong and Hanhwa’s investment highlights the huge manufacturing opportunity for the region,” Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said. 

“Having Hanhwa’s manufacturing facility in the region is a major win that will bring hundreds of jobs and supply chain opportunities for local businesses,” Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said. 

Hanhwa Defense Australia is one of the final two bidders for the delivery of the Australian Government’s LAND 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program. If successful, the company is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the Geelong region over the next 12 years with an estimated $5.7 billion injection into the State economy. 

“The Hanhwa Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence will become the home of Hanhwa tracked vehicle operations in Australia and, if successful under the LAND 400 Phase 3 program, the home of our Redback family of vehicles for both the Australian Defence Force and global markets,” Hanhwa Defense Australia Managing Director Richard Cho said. 

The multi-million-dollar project will deliver a 32,000-SQM state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Major works are anticipated to commence later this year and will take up to two years to complete, with an estimated 100 jobs supported during the construction phase. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria State Government – Jobs, Precincts and Regions; AuManufacturing.com.au; Manufacturers’ Monthly; Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter