A public statement of intent for the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise, setting out objectives, initiatives, resources and operating principles. The plan asserts industrial and supply resilience should be a key part of Australia’s defence plan, increasing strategic sovereignty while delivering economic and employment benefits. 

The plan is presented as a critical response to escalating strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including China's military expansion and the lessons learned from recent conflicts overseas. It prioritises the establishment of domestic manufacturing for key systems and components in order to reduce dependence on foreign supply and contribute to a global munitions economy.

The plan has a phased approach, starting with the assembly of existing weapons and gradually increasing the production of Australian-manufactured components. It highlights the necessity of international collaboration, particularly with the United States, to expedite capability development and gain access to crucial technologies.

Key points

• The proliferation of long-range guided missiles has reduced Australia's geographical advantage.
• Guided weapons are fundamental for the ADF to build enhanced lethality and long-range precision strike.
• Australia must become more self-reliant to meet its National Defence needs and to contribute to regional security.
• Across Defence, the Government has committed to spend over $14 billion and placed in excess of $10 billion of orders for the acquisition and sustainment of GWEO since May 2022. 
• The Government has committed $320 million of additional funding over 2024–2030 to evaluate and develop the feasibility of select Australian companies to manufacture specific Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System components.
• The plan will establish two purpose-built guided missile manufacturing factories by 2029, a munitions factory for longer-range artillery ammunition by the end of the decade, and a dedicated solid rocket motor manufacturing facility by 2030.