Defence splurge on $500m 'key missile defence' contract creating Hunter jobs

Annual funding for defence is forecast to surpass $100 billion in a decade, with more than $50 billion set aside for 'national defence readiness' over the next ten years. Picture by Jonathan Carroll.

HUNDREDS of jobs are expected to flow through to the Hunter as part of a key $500 million defence contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia.

Jobs creation is a key selling point in the next phase of the federal government's Joint Air Battle Management System, also known as the project Air 6500, which is key to the Albanese Government's plan to increase defence force spending on "next-generation air missile defence".