WILL THE DEFENCE MANUFACTURING ROADMAP DELIVER FOR AUSTRALIA?

摘要

DEFENCE industry has been included as one of six key areas of focus in the government's $1.5 billion Modern [Manufacturing Strategy (MMS), but there are questions over whether the roadmap will deliver wider benefits to Australia. The MMS was established to "strengthen Australia's manufacturing capability by helping manufacturers scale-up, become more competitive and build more resilient supply chains." The Defence National Manufacturing Priority road map outlines more specific manufacturing growth opportunities in the defence sector and sets out plans to realise an "Australian defence manufacturing base which delivers world-leading capabilities for the ADF and responsible exports in our national interest." Under the plan, manufacturers will invest more in addressing Defence priority capabilities and improving 'linkages within the defence ecosystem within the next two years. The five-year target sees greater manufacturing capability and increased participation in defence supply chains by Australian businesses, and in particular, smaller manufacturers will scale up to create "the underrepresented 'middle' of the defence industry."