In March 2021, the Government announced the acceleration of a $1 billion Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.
The Department of Defence has now issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from industry and academia regarding capacity and interest in participating in the Enterprise.
Feedback is also being sought on the potential roles that organisations could play to assist the Commonwealth and Department of Defence in the delivery of 'all or parts of the Enterprise'.
Defence says it will work closely with Australian industry, including small and medium business, and academia in its design and development to deliver the required sovereign guided weapons capability.
According to Defence, the Enterprise will provide the 'enabling ecosystem' to support Defence’s inventory of guided weapons and explosive ordnance, and comprises multiple capability elements including manufacturing, research and development, education and training, test and evaluation, maintenance and repair, storage and distribution, and disposal.
Commander Joint Capabilities has been named as the Capability Manager, whilst Land Systems Division will oversee industry engagement and has established a project office led by Brigadier Haydn Kohl and Lynsey Johnstone.
"Balanced investment in each of the Enterprise capability elements is essential to create a sustainable and enduring enterprise," Defence said in a statement. "Defence is in the planning phase of establishing the Enterprise, including defining key requirements, and is seeking industry input through this Request for Information (published on AusTender)."
"Defence will continue to engage and collaborate with industry to deliver a genuine sovereign guided weapons capability and will soon provide details of a forthcoming Information Session to interested parties."
Companies can register their interest for the information session by emailing GWEO.industry@defence.gov.au.