Defence in the NT

The Northern Territory (NT) and northern Australia are strategically important to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), both for national defence and as a forward base for regional engagement.

The NT is home to 5.2% of Australia’s permanent ADF personnel including 3,460 from Army, 1,033 in the Air Force, 736 in the Navy and 204 are Department of Defence civilians. The defence community directly contributes to the economic and social development of the region.

The NT boasts:

  • 75% of Australia’s Armidale class patrol boats
  • a squadron of FA18 Classic Hornet fighter jets
  • ⦁ a large portion of the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters.

The defence industry makes a substantial contribution to the Territory economy through the creation of direct and indirect employment and generating demand for local goods and services.

In addition, the defence industry stimulates the economy through major operations and exercises held in the region and infrastructure projects that typically engage local businesses.

Defence in the economy

Defence spent $2.2 billion in the Territory in 2019 to 2020, or around 8.6% of gross state product. This reflects an increase of 7% compared to the previous year and remains above the 10-year average defence expenditure of $2.0 billion.

The Australian Government’s 2016 Defence white paper outlined significant expenditure in the NT and a focus on investment in national defence infrastructure in northern Australia.

This includes:

  • the Australian Government is investing $8 billion between 2016 and 2025 for Defence infrastructure and facilities providing opportunities for small to medium NT businesses to secure long term work
  • infrastructure works at RAAF Base Tindal to support a squadron of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, KC-30 refuelling aircraft and a number of forward deployed, MQ-4C unmanned aircraft
  • twelve new offshore patrol vessels begin service from 2023, replacing the current Armidale class patrol boats, with six of these home ported in Darwin
  • upgrades to Bradshaw Field Training Area, Robertson Barracks and Larrakeyah Barracks as well as consideration of a new Northern Advanced Joint Training Area with a potential rail link to RAAF Base Tindal
  • purpose built facilities at Delamere Air Weapons Range to support personnel training on the EA-18G Growler aircraft
  • an increase in the number of multinational exercises the ADF participates across our immediate region and the broader Indo-Pacific
  • reiteration to work towards the full United States Marine Air-Ground Task Force of around 2,500 personnel rotating through Darwin by 2020, with more rotations of United States aircraft expected through northern Australia.

For information about the performance and outlook for the defence sector in the NT, go to the Northern Territory Economy website.

The ADF makes a significant contribution to the Territory’s population and economy with 4.8% of total defence expenditure occurring in the Territory.

The Northern Territory’s proximity to Asia

A number of factors highlight the unique strategic location and circumstances of the NT:

  • United States (US) emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region
  • maturing engagement of Australia and the NT with Asia
  • increasing significance of border surveillance and protection
  • Australian Government’s intention to develop Australia’s north.

Northern Territory Defence and national security strategy 2018

The Northern Territory Defence and national security strategy 2018 sets out our approach to the task of supporting our nation’s Defence and national security objectives through a competitive industry, a skilled flexible workforce, a supportive community and a responsive government.

To find out more read the 2018 Northern Territory Defence and national security strategy.

Defence NT

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
Northern Territory Government
Phone: 08 8999 6421
defencent@nt.gov.au
WordPress Video Lightbox

PRIMARY SPONSORS

BAE Systems plc is a British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company based in London, England. It is the largest defence contractor in Europe, and ranked the seventh-largest in the world based on applicable 2021 revenues. As of 2017, it is the biggest manufacturer in Britain.
Visit Website
Collins Aerospace is an American technology corporation that is one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, it is a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies.
Visit Website
L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris) is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces C6ISR systems and products, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electronic systems, night vision equipment, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. They specialize in surveillance solutions, microwave weaponry, and electronic warfare.
Visit Website
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in North Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington, D.C. area.
Visit Website
Pratt & Whitney is an American aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies. Pratt & Whitney’s aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Visit Website
Patria Plc is a Finnish provider of defence, security and aviation life-cycle support services. Patria is owned 50.1% by the Finnish government and 49.9% by Norwegian defense group Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS.
Visit Website
Ansys, Inc. is an American multinational company with its headquarters based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. It develops and markets CAE/multiphysics engineering simulation software for product design, testing and operation and offers its products and services to customers worldwide.
Visit Website
Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense conglomerate headquartered in Arlington, Virginia; it is one of the largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world by revenue and market capitalization as well as one of the largest providers of intelligence services.
Visit Website
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, doing business as ST Engineering, is a Singaporean multinational technology and engineering group in the aerospace, smart city as well as defence and public security sectors.
Visit Website