What’s happening?
The Australian Industry Group (AIG) Defence Council completed a three-day strategic tour of key defence sites in Townsville this month. The visit included Jezzine Museum, the OASIS Centre, and Lavarack Barracks. Its aim was to deepen engagement between defence personnel and leading industry representatives as the Army advances its modernisation program.
Why it matters?
The tour provided a rare opportunity for senior industry figures to witness the direct application of their technology and services in real-world military settings. Brigadier Ben McLennan, Commander of 3rd Brigade, emphasised the importance of this relationship:
“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.”
He also reinforced Townsville’s standing as a key military-industrial city:
“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.”
Local Impact
The visit showcased the region’s defence readiness and reaffirmed Townsville’s role as a central hub in Australia’s national security landscape. Soldiers from 3rd Brigade demonstrated how they use industry-developed technology across equipment and training facilities at Lavarack Barracks.
Dean Deighton, Head of AIG in northern Australia, explained the value of this regional focus:
“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.”
“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.”
By the Numbers
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1 of 3 key stops: Lavarack Barracks, one of Australia’s largest military bases, hosted equipment showcases and capability briefings.
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14 major defence companies: Representatives included Rheinmetall, Supacat, Redarc, Boeing, Saab, Penten, Cablex, Babcock, Qinetiq, Marand, L3Harris, and Toll Group.
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3-day tour: Industry leaders visited multiple key facilities across Townsville to witness Defence capability in action.
Zoom In
At Lavarack Barracks, industry representatives saw how soldiers integrate advanced systems into daily operations. Brigadier McLennan noted the critical nature of this collaboration:
“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.”
Zoom Out
Nationally, the AIG Defence Council continues to link innovation with frontline capability. Mr Deighton explained that choosing Townsville reflected its strategic relevance and unique operating environment: “This multi-domain environment of Townsville makes the region a living case study for industry, providing direct insight into operational challenges and requirements.”
What to Look For Next?
Following the tour, industry partners are expected to refine their product offerings to better match the evolving needs of Defence. Continued engagement with Townsville’s military community will be key as the Army implements its future-focused modernisation agenda.
