28 March 2025
The Australian Industry Group (AIG) conducted a three-day tour of significant industry sites in Townsville this month.
Commander 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan, said the tour, which included Jezzine Museum, the OASIS Centre and Lavarack Barracks, was an opportunity to showcase Townsville as a leading hub for defence industry, and to foster stronger relationships to support Army’s modernisation schedule.
“This tour gives the industry experts an opportunity to immerse themselves, speaking with the end user and seeing first-hand how their capability is used here in the armoured amphibious brigade,” Brigadier McLennan said.
"There’s no doubt that Townsville is the best location in Australia for soldiers and industry to live and work; it is the premier garrison city.”
Brigadier McLennan stressed the importance of the relationship between the ADF and industry to develop and sustain technology that is fast, reliable and mission-ready.
“Defence industry is inextricably linked to enabling us and what we do,” he said.
“Our role is to prepare in every respect for war, but we cannot do this alone; defence industry equip and enable us to reach our high-performing potential, and achieve our mission.”
Head of the group in northern Australia, Dean Deighton, said the AIG Defence Council chose Townsville for its deep military heritage and growing strategic importance.
“The goal is to connect industry with Defence end users, explore north Queensland’s role in national security, and highlight the region’s readiness for Defence industry investment,” Mr Deighton said.
“And the result is a more capable ADF and an industry that is sharper, more responsive and aligned with Australia’s long-term security priorities.”
Representatives from Rheinmetall, Supacat, Redarc, Boeing, Saab, Penten, Cablex, Babcock, Qinetiq, Marand, L3Harris, and Toll Group spoke with soldiers at 3 Brigade, who showed them their equipment and training facilities at Lavarack Barracks.
“For industry, this is an opportunity to engage with Defence where capability meets operational reality, and offers a clearer picture of how they can contribute to national security,” Mr Deighton said.
“This multi-domain environment of Townsville makes the region a living case study for industry, providing direct insight into operational challenges and requirements.”
