Key points :
- The 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program deepen Commonwealth commitment to Western Australia
- WA’s Indian Ocean gateway position and Fleet Base West make it central to Australia’s maritime defence
- Henderson Precinct, HMAS Stirling’s AUKUS submarine rotation and Army programmes form a long-term shipbuilding pipeline.
- On-schedule delivery, workforce investment and close government-industry collaboration must turn momentum into lasting national advantage.
In last year’s WA DEFENCE REVIEW, I called Western Australia the “headlining act” of Australian defence. Decisions on the Henderson Defence Precinct, HMAS Stirling under AUKUS and the future General Purpose Frigate fleet all pointed to a bright future for the state. Twelve months on, that trajectory has accelerated. 2026 has brought the National Defence Strategy, its Integrated Investment Program, and an updated Federal Defence Industry Development Strategy — all reinforcing the Commonwealth’s long-term commitment to Western Australia.
WA takes centre stage
The state government has responded in kind, recognising Defence as both a national security priority and one of WA’s biggest economic opportunities. The challenge now is delivery. For decades, Western Australians have argued that the state’s geography makes it Australia’s gateway to the Indian Ocean. Commonwealth strategy now agrees.
Strategic competition across the Indo-Pacific is intensifying, conflicts persist in Europe and the Middle East, supply chains remain vulnerable, and technological advantage is vital. As Australia’s maritime defence strategy grows in importance, so does WA’s role. The state offers direct access to the Indian Ocean and hosts Fleet Base West — an ideal base for supporting allies as collective deterrence becomes more important.
The 2026 National Defence Strategy reflects this, emphasising resilience, preparedness, sovereign industrial capability and the ability to sustain operations. All of these depend on infrastructure, industry, skilled people and lasting partnerships — areas where WA is becoming indispensable.
The Integrated Investment Program similarly backs long-term investment in undersea warfare, naval capability, autonomous systems and littoral manoeuvre (the ability to move troops from the sea to coastal regions).
WA’s importance is no longer defined by individual projects. The state is now fundamental to the future of Australian Defence.
From projects to integration
The past year has seen a shift from isolated projects to an integrated national defence enterprise, with WA at its centre.
The Henderson Defence Precinct is moving from concept to implementation, becoming one of Australia’s most significant defence industrial precincts — supporting continuous naval shipbuilding, surface-fleet sustainment, nuclear submarine maintenance and construction of future Mogami-class frigates.
At HMAS Stirling, progress toward Submarine Rotational Force-West continues at pace. Infrastructure upgrades, workforce expansion and visits from US Navy organisations show AUKUS cooperation is well underway. From 2027, rotational deployments of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines will become routine at Fleet Base West.
The Army is also anchoring its future littoral manoeuvre capability in WA, through the Landing Craft Medium and Heavy programs. Combined with future frigate construction, these projects give the state a shipbuilding pipeline that will underpin industrial capability for decades.
Individually, each project matters. Together, they confirm WA as the nation’s principal hub for maritime capability and naval sustainment — and increasingly, a sophisticated defence manufacturing centre.
WA government gets ambitious
The WA government has recognised that Commonwealth investment on this scale demands an equally ambitious state response.
The proposal to establish Defence West as a statutory authority is more than a bureaucratic change — it reflects the specialist expertise and continuity needed to coordinate infrastructure, attract investment, and engage Commonwealth and allied partners. The launch of the Western Defence Forge shows similar ambition, aiming to broaden WA’s defence economy beyond naval shipbuilding into advanced manufacturing and sovereign industrial capability.
Ministerial changes reinforce this. While former Minister Papalia was a strong advocate for the sector, Premier Roger Cook has now taken direct responsibility for defence industries, signalling that defence is central to WA’s economic diversification. Supported by Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, defence has become a whole-of-government priority — commitment that will be essential as decisions on industrial land, workforce, housing, transport and environmental approvals grow more complex.
Delivery defines success
Despite the optimism, the real test lies ahead.
Infrastructure must be delivered on schedule. Industry needs continuity of work to retain skilled employees between existing and future naval programs. Supporting AUKUS, continuous shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing will require sustained investment in education, apprenticeships, universities and skilled migration.
Governments must also keep working together — Defence projects rarely respect jurisdictional boundaries, and success depends on cooperation between Commonwealth agencies, the WA government, local government, industry and universities.
The same applies across industry. WA’s defence sector is unusually collaborative: groups including AIDN-WA, the Henderson Alliance, AI Group, CCIWA, the Construction Contractors Association of WA, the Kwinana Industries Council and the South West Metropolitan Alliance are committed to strengthening the broader ecosystem. Their willingness to advocate collectively, not just competitively, remains one of WA’s greatest advantages.
Onward and upward
Western Australia enters this next phase from a position of strength — strategic geography, world-class naval infrastructure, an experienced workforce, competitive heavy industry and strong partnerships with Australia’s closest allies.
These advantages are now reflected in Commonwealth strategy, investment and policy like never before. The challenge over the next decade is to turn policy into infrastructure, plans into capability, and ambition into an enduring national advantage.
As this piece goes to print, my term as Western Australia’s Defence Advocate has ended. It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the state during one of the most pivotal periods in its defence sector’s history.
I’ve been fortunate to work alongside dedicated ministers, parliamentarians and officials at every level of government, as well as peak industry groups, the Office of Defence Industry Support, the team at Defence West, and WA’s universities and vocational training sector. Their professionalism and commitment to WA’s broader interests have been a constant source of encouragement.
Most of all, it has been a privilege to work with the companies — large and small — that make up WA’s defence industrial base. From global primes to innovative local enterprises, I have consistently met people committed to building successful businesses and strengthening Australia’s national security.
I leave this role with enormous confidence in Western Australia’s future. The state has earned its place as Australia’s defence “headliner”. My hope is that WA’s defence sector recognises its greatest competitive advantage is not any single organisation’s success, but the strength of the ecosystem they have built together.
WA has an extraordinary opportunity. The task now is to make its strategic importance an enduring capability — for the state, and for the nation.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of WA DEFENCE REVIEW.
ANALYSIS & COMMENTARY
Western Australia’s Defence Decade: From Promise To Delivery
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Former WA Defence Advocate RADM Phil Spedding DSC AM (Rtd) delivers a speech at the Submarine Institute of Australia Conference in Perth, Western Australia. The Submarine Institute of Australia held their most recent conference at the Pan Pacific Perth over 18-20 August 2025. The conference, focused on Nuclear Submarines in Australia, dedicated to strengthening relationships between submariners, past and present, with government and industry. Source: Department of Defence. Photographer: ABIS Jayden Fahy.
Key points :
In last year’s WA DEFENCE REVIEW, I called Western Australia the “headlining act” of Australian defence. Decisions on the Henderson Defence Precinct, HMAS Stirling under AUKUS and the future General Purpose Frigate fleet all pointed to a bright future for the state. Twelve months on, that trajectory has accelerated. 2026 has brought the National Defence Strategy, its Integrated Investment Program, and an updated Federal Defence Industry Development Strategy — all reinforcing the Commonwealth’s long-term commitment to Western Australia.
WA takes centre stage
The state government has responded in kind, recognising Defence as both a national security priority and one of WA’s biggest economic opportunities. The challenge now is delivery. For decades, Western Australians have argued that the state’s geography makes it Australia’s gateway to the Indian Ocean. Commonwealth strategy now agrees.
Strategic competition across the Indo-Pacific is intensifying, conflicts persist in Europe and the Middle East, supply chains remain vulnerable, and technological advantage is vital. As Australia’s maritime defence strategy grows in importance, so does WA’s role. The state offers direct access to the Indian Ocean and hosts Fleet Base West — an ideal base for supporting allies as collective deterrence becomes more important.
The 2026 National Defence Strategy reflects this, emphasising resilience, preparedness, sovereign industrial capability and the ability to sustain operations. All of these depend on infrastructure, industry, skilled people and lasting partnerships — areas where WA is becoming indispensable.
The Integrated Investment Program similarly backs long-term investment in undersea warfare, naval capability, autonomous systems and littoral manoeuvre (the ability to move troops from the sea to coastal regions).
WA’s importance is no longer defined by individual projects. The state is now fundamental to the future of Australian Defence.
From projects to integration
The past year has seen a shift from isolated projects to an integrated national defence enterprise, with WA at its centre.
The Henderson Defence Precinct is moving from concept to implementation, becoming one of Australia’s most significant defence industrial precincts — supporting continuous naval shipbuilding, surface-fleet sustainment, nuclear submarine maintenance and construction of future Mogami-class frigates.
At HMAS Stirling, progress toward Submarine Rotational Force-West continues at pace. Infrastructure upgrades, workforce expansion and visits from US Navy organisations show AUKUS cooperation is well underway. From 2027, rotational deployments of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines will become routine at Fleet Base West.
The Army is also anchoring its future littoral manoeuvre capability in WA, through the Landing Craft Medium and Heavy programs. Combined with future frigate construction, these projects give the state a shipbuilding pipeline that will underpin industrial capability for decades.
Individually, each project matters. Together, they confirm WA as the nation’s principal hub for maritime capability and naval sustainment — and increasingly, a sophisticated defence manufacturing centre.
WA government gets ambitious
The WA government has recognised that Commonwealth investment on this scale demands an equally ambitious state response.
The proposal to establish Defence West as a statutory authority is more than a bureaucratic change — it reflects the specialist expertise and continuity needed to coordinate infrastructure, attract investment, and engage Commonwealth and allied partners. The launch of the Western Defence Forge shows similar ambition, aiming to broaden WA’s defence economy beyond naval shipbuilding into advanced manufacturing and sovereign industrial capability.
Ministerial changes reinforce this. While former Minister Papalia was a strong advocate for the sector, Premier Roger Cook has now taken direct responsibility for defence industries, signalling that defence is central to WA’s economic diversification. Supported by Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, defence has become a whole-of-government priority — commitment that will be essential as decisions on industrial land, workforce, housing, transport and environmental approvals grow more complex.
Delivery defines success
Despite the optimism, the real test lies ahead.
Infrastructure must be delivered on schedule. Industry needs continuity of work to retain skilled employees between existing and future naval programs. Supporting AUKUS, continuous shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing will require sustained investment in education, apprenticeships, universities and skilled migration.
Governments must also keep working together — Defence projects rarely respect jurisdictional boundaries, and success depends on cooperation between Commonwealth agencies, the WA government, local government, industry and universities.
The same applies across industry. WA’s defence sector is unusually collaborative: groups including AIDN-WA, the Henderson Alliance, AI Group, CCIWA, the Construction Contractors Association of WA, the Kwinana Industries Council and the South West Metropolitan Alliance are committed to strengthening the broader ecosystem. Their willingness to advocate collectively, not just competitively, remains one of WA’s greatest advantages.
Onward and upward
Western Australia enters this next phase from a position of strength — strategic geography, world-class naval infrastructure, an experienced workforce, competitive heavy industry and strong partnerships with Australia’s closest allies.
These advantages are now reflected in Commonwealth strategy, investment and policy like never before. The challenge over the next decade is to turn policy into infrastructure, plans into capability, and ambition into an enduring national advantage.
As this piece goes to print, my term as Western Australia’s Defence Advocate has ended. It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the state during one of the most pivotal periods in its defence sector’s history.
I’ve been fortunate to work alongside dedicated ministers, parliamentarians and officials at every level of government, as well as peak industry groups, the Office of Defence Industry Support, the team at Defence West, and WA’s universities and vocational training sector. Their professionalism and commitment to WA’s broader interests have been a constant source of encouragement.
Most of all, it has been a privilege to work with the companies — large and small — that make up WA’s defence industrial base. From global primes to innovative local enterprises, I have consistently met people committed to building successful businesses and strengthening Australia’s national security.
I leave this role with enormous confidence in Western Australia’s future. The state has earned its place as Australia’s defence “headliner”. My hope is that WA’s defence sector recognises its greatest competitive advantage is not any single organisation’s success, but the strength of the ecosystem they have built together.
WA has an extraordinary opportunity. The task now is to make its strategic importance an enduring capability — for the state, and for the nation.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of WA DEFENCE REVIEW.
About the Author:
Rear Admiral Philip Spedding DSC AM RAN (Retd) served in the Royal Australian Navy for 40 years, commanding multiple ships and deploying to Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, the South Pacific and the Middle East. He served as the Western Australian Defence Advocate from January 2023 to August 2026, advising the WA government on defence matters and local industry opportunities.