News Review: Chemring opens $30 million plant near Geelong | ADM Apr 2011

Minister for defence materiel Jason Clare officially opened on 4 March Chemring’s $30 million plant at Lara which will produce specialist pyrotechnics and counter measures.

Tthe new facility was built after Defence awarded Chemring a 10-year, $160 million contract in November 2008 to supply countermeasures and pyrotechnics to the ADF.

“They’re used by our soldiers in Afghanistan and from the helicopters and fixed wing aircraft that support them,” Clare said.

“Chemring also supply a variety of flares and distress beacons which are important in search and rescue and other emergency situations from our aircraft, helicopters, ships and submarines.

“Since the announcement of the contract Chemring’s workforce has doubled from 30 to 60 and that’s great news for the local community,” Clare said.

Chemring is also a contender to secure contracts for decoys, flares and other expendables for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program which could be worth several hundreds of millions of dollars.