
The Hunter region has been positioned as a defence industry hub in the Indo-Pacific in the Albanese government's first National Defence Strategy, released in a major speech by Richard Marles, the federal portfolio minister, on Wednesday, April 17.
Ten manufacturing, engineering and technology outfits with facilities in the region have been singled out for their roles building, upgrading and maintaining defence equipment, with a particular focus on the Air Force's wing of fifth-generation fighter jets - the F-35A - based at Williamtown.