Thales in Australia Accelerates Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise to Strengthen National Defence

Australia is building a sovereign defence industry for the era of guided weapons, but what does this entail?

Investing in Sovereignty: The Next Evolution in Defence Capability

Australia’s security environment is shaped by complex, rapidly evolving threats. From tests on regional stability to the exponential pace of technology, the nation’s critical advantage lies in local innovation and robust sovereign industries. Thales in Australia has spent more than a quarter of a century working side-by-side with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), building expertise and capability where it counts most: on Australian soil, for Australian missions.

By accelerating the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, Thales supports not just readiness, but the ability for Australia to act independently in shaping its security destiny. This evolution ensures sustained supply of critical munitions, backed by in-country engineering, manufacturing, research, and skilled personnel.

A Nationwide Network: Skills, Scale, and Local Supply Chains

A sovereign GWEO capability is only as strong as the depth and breadth of its industrial ecosystem. Thales creates value and resilience by employing nearly 4,000 Australians—over 1,000 already dedicated to GWEO programs—and collaborating with more than 800 local suppliers. This partnership approach supports the entire lifecycle of guided weapons and explosive ordnance: from research and manufacturing to sustainment, storage, transport, and secure distribution.

Crucially, these supplier relationships focus on sourcing Australian solutions for chemicals, components, and specialised materials, strengthening national self-sufficiency. Thales’ unique ability to operate within all Commonwealth GWEO manufacturing, storage, distribution, and maintenance facilities underpins unmatched responsiveness and flexibility.

Trusted Partnerships: Keeping Pace with Global Defence Leaders

Deep ties with both domestic and international defence partners keep Australia at the cutting edge of weapons technology. Thales has spent more than two decades as a trusted industry partner to the US Government and is the preferred local prime for GWEO Original Equipment Manufacturers in the US and Europe. Thales-developed solutions support major industry names—Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, BAE Systems, and Kongsberg—ensuring Australia is aligned with best-practice and global innovation.

This established reputation extends to supporting Australia’s and allied defence programs, boosting both the country’s deterrence profile and export capabilities.

Demonstrated Manufacturing Strength: From Rocket Motors to Warheads

Thales brings end-to-end capability few can match:

Solid Rocket Motors and Booster Motors: Thales is Australia’s only company with proven expertise to design, manufacture, and certify military-grade solid rocket motors and components. Successes span the Nulka active missile decoy system, ARMTD program with DST Group, and the LRASM-SL boost program with Lockheed Martin.

Warheads: Thales’ facilities and teams have delivered warheads for urgent operational needs—BLU-126 and BLU-111, among others—plus sensitive munitions for the Kongsberg Penguin anti-ship missile, supporting exports to six allied navies. These same capabilities are delivering for RAAF platforms like the Super Hornet and JSF, and evolving further into high-speed weapons development.

Research and Development: A Foundation for Innovation

World-class sovereign GWEO capabilities rest on a foundation of persistent research and collaborative development. Thales maintains a skilled team—engineers, chemists, and scientists—who are recognised for their world-leading work in energetics and propellant manufacturing, both critical for munitions self-sufficiency.

The longstanding strategic alliance with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) translates innovation from the lab to the field. This cooperation, bridging research, industry, and operational end-users, is the cornerstone of Australia’s capacity to anticipate and adapt to emerging threats.

A Lasting Commitment: Securing the Future of Australian Defence

Australia’s future defence depends on more than acquiring advanced technology—it requires nurturing the talent, industrial base, and sovereign control necessary to respond decisively to the unpredictable. Thales’ model combines international partnership with local delivery, placing Australia at the forefront of guided weapons manufacturing and know-how.

By investing in people, partnerships, and production, Thales is enabling the ADF to meet challenges today and tomorrow, on Australia’s terms.

By accelerating sovereign GWEO capability, Thales Australia reinforces the nation’s autonomy and operational advantage. Through industry-leading manufacturing, R&D, and supply chain innovation, Thales ensures Australia’s defence forces remain prepared, protected, and equipped for a dynamic security landscape.