Western Australia is positioning itself to become a major player in domestic weapons manufacturing, with Premier Roger Cook announcing plans for a defence manufacturing hub that could eventually rival the state's traditional resources sector as an economic driver.
Cook unveiled the initiative at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth on May 26, 2026, signaling the government's commitment to leveraging the state's existing industrial capacity and skilled workforce into a new strategic sector. The announcement reflects a broader global trend: nations are rapidly expanding defence spending, yet most lack the domestic industrial infrastructure to support their ambitions.
Strategic Economic Pivot
Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia framed the initiative as an economic opportunity born from necessity. "Right around the world right now, nations are uplifting [their] defence spend," Papalia said, "and in most places, their industrial base can't support their ambitions, but in WA we have a massive resources sector [where] we can apply that industrial base to defence outcomes."
The government is actively seeking expressions of interest from international defence companies in neighbouring and allied countries to establish the hub. Collie, a town approximately 200 kilometres south of Perth, has been flagged as a possible location. The timing is significant: Collie is undergoing an economic transition as the state phases out coal-fired power generation by 2030, creating both workforce availability and infrastructure that could be repurposed for defence manufacturing.
Papalia outlined an expansive vision for the facility's scope, suggesting it could encompass the entire defence manufacturing supply chain. "It might be vehicles, it might be satellites, it might be even uniforms or first aid kits," he said, describing the potential as "like a Silicon Valley for defence manufacturing in Western Australia." The government has explicitly stated its aim to make the defence industry the second biggest contributor to the state's economy after the resources sector.
Workforce and Infrastructure Advantages
Collie presents practical advantages for such an operation. Collie Shire President Ian Miffling confirmed that Papalia visited the town last week to assess its suitability, noting the availability of a rail line connecting Collie to the Port of Bunbury for export purposes. Papalia highlighted the town's transitioning workforce, stating that approximately 1,300 workers with highly skilled backgrounds are potentially available, along with multiple industrial sites and areas suitable for manufacturing operations.
When questioned about manufacturing "deadly weapons" like missiles, Cook reframed the discussion in economic and safety terms. "I'm a jobs dealer, I'm about establishing jobs," he responded. He also addressed community concerns about safety, noting that "Western Australia's got a manufacturing industry that deals with highly flammable, explosive substances all the time," and emphasized that "all of these industries would make sure they undertake their practices in a safe way."
National Context and Skepticism
Western Australia's plans fit within a broader national strategy. Australia already operates its first missile assembly facility in South Australia, which launched in December 2025, with a second facility planned for New South Wales. The addition of a Western Australian hub would create a distributed domestic capacity for critical defence manufacturing.
However, the proposal has faced criticism from some quarters. Liberal MP Steve Thomas characterized the bid as a "thought bubble," raising practical concerns about the requirements for such operations. "If you're going to start creating this sort of military technology, you need a highly secure area, you need support networks," Thomas said, adding that "It's not the case for example, [that] those people working in the coal mining industry are suddenly going to become IT specialists in the military sector."
Greens MP Sophie McNeill released a statement opposing the initiative, claiming that "WA must not become a home for murderous global weapons manufacturers" and asserting the plan would "only line the pockets of foreign arms companies."
The announcement was marked by substantial security measures, with heavy police presence both at entrances and throughout the venue at the defence conference. Attendees were warned that police had the authority to conduct searches.
Why This Matters:
From a fiscal and strategic perspective, this initiative represents Western Australia's attempt to diversify its economic base and capitalize on existing industrial infrastructure and workforce capacity. The transition from coal-dependent energy production to defence manufacturing addresses both immediate employment concerns in Collie and longer-term economic sustainability. The plan's success depends on whether existing skilled workers can transition to specialized defence roles, as critics have questioned, and whether the state can attract genuine international defence partnerships rather than merely serving as a manufacturing location. The distributed nature of Australia's emerging missile production capacity—across three states—raises questions about efficiency and coordination that policymakers will need to address. Ultimately, the initiative reflects market-driven economic adaptation to changing global conditions, though questions remain about implementation feasibility and workforce capability.