During this week, the Western Australian Government revealed plans to strengthen its defence sector as part of the AUKUS partnership amid eyeing future economic opportunities in Europe.
As part of the state government’s Made in WA plan, an $11.5 million investment – through the AUKUS Defence Industry Incentive – will go towards supporting the growth of the defence workforce.
The investment supports the establishment of a Henderson Precinct, underpinning tens of billions of dollars of Australian Government investment in defence capabilities in the state over the next 20 years, creating more than 10,000 new jobs.
As Mining.com.au reported, Australia will be one of seven nations that operate nuclear-powered submarines as soon as the early 2030s. In 2021, Australia entered into a partnership with the US and US to form AUKUS – a national enterprise – aimed to deliver long-term benefits and strengthen the combined industrial capacity of the three AUKUS partners.
In a push to promote the Western Australian defence industries, Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia will be leading a delegation of local businesses to the UK to exhibit their capabilities on a global stage, as well as unlock access to allied supply chains.
More than 20 businesses from the state will travel to London for the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) – one of the largest defence conferences in the world.
The event, held between 9-12 September, will provide businesses the opportunity to connect with industry heavyweights such as the UK’s State Secretary of Defence John Healey and Royal Navy First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
Greenroom Robotics is among the 20 companies that will be showcasing at DSEI after securing approval to export its artificial intelligence software to the UK and US.
The company’s AI software supports transforming vessels large and small with partners across AUKUS nations, including Royal Australian Navy, Austal, EGS Survey, and UK-based SubSea Craft.
Western Australia takes global stage
Western Australia is also taking the global stage, as the state government announces it will be leading a major delegation to a premier energy event to showcase its expertise in the oil, gas, and energy transition sectors.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers Offshore Europe (SPE OE) 2025 Conference – held between 2-5 September in Aberdeen, Scotland – brings together key representatives, attracting around 30,000 attendees and 800 exhibitors.
SPE OE’s theme Unlocking Europe’s Potential in Offshore Energy will explore key topics relating to energy security, energy transition, future talent, and innovative technology.
In parallel, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti led an official mission to Europe this week to strengthen Western Australia’s economic and cultural opportunities, as part of the government’s plan to diversify its economy.
The mission will show Western Australia as a secure, competitive, and innovative destination for investment focusing on economic infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, transport, and sport.
In Italy, Saffioti will meet with senior executives from Confindustria, NHOA Energy, Saipem and Energy Dome to explore opportunities in energy storage, battery systems, engineering and chemical supply.
Meanwhile in Sweden, Saffioti will visit one Volvo’s headquarters in Gothenburg to gain insight into electric vehicle manufacturing technologies as Western Australia advances its program to locally build and maintain electrified buses and ferries.
In May 2025, the last diesel bus manufactured in Western Australia left the Volgren bus manufacturing facility for passenger services. From 21 May, all new buses manufactured will be electric in the state, as part of the state’s Made in WA plan.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Royal Navy, iStock & Volgren
