The Defence industry remains a critical industry for North Queensland being the regions largest industry contributor to gross regional product (GRP).

Over a third of the Australian Army combat forces are located in Townsville North Queensland and is also home to the Lavarack Barracks which is the largest army base in Australia. The new focus to develop North Australian bases in response to the Defence Strategic Review has meant that the North Queensland region has benefitted from significant investment into increasing capabilities and supporting the additional troops being relocated to the region. 

Building Northern Australia's Defence Capability

A key priority for the Australian Government has been enhancing the capability of northern bases in response to the Defence Strategic Review. The review sets the agenda for the ambitious, but necessary reform to Defence's posture and structure, ensuring that the region can capitalise on the opportunities and address the challenges associated with the Defence uplift in North Queensland.

The Australian Government's response to the Defence Strategic Review has elevated Townsville's strategic importance to the Australian Army. As part of this, the government has announced that an additional 500 personnel will be stationed in Townsville from 2025. 

Townsville North Queensland is set to become Australia's designated 'Army Capital'.   

As a strategic mounting base and host city to unrivalled force projection capabilities, Townsville is unique among Australian Defence locations. 

Land

Townsville is the home of the 3rd Amphibious Armoured Brigade, Australia’s most powerful, protected, and lethal fighting formation responsible for the majority of Army’s heavy combat vehicles including its new and mighty M1A2 SepV3 Abrams Tank, the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle. The region also hosts some of the premier training areas for the ADF, including the Townsville Field Training Area in the Charters Towers region and the Tully Training Area in Hinchinbrook Shire.

Maritime 

The Defence Strategic Review directed Army to shift its focus to littoral and amphibious operations, accelerating the purchase of Army watercraft and directing the development of a new surface fleet plan for the Royal Australian Navy. These vessels—both Army and Navy—will significantly increase the number of maritime platforms that use Townsville for training, maintenance and potentially basing. 

Air 

In response to the Defence Strategic Review, Army restructured its Army Aviation Command to rebalance its rotary wing fleet. As a result, all of the Army’s medium lift CH-47F Chinooks and the entire fleet of potent AH-64E Guardians will be based at RAAF Townsville, along with the headquarters of the 16th Aviation Brigade. This will consolidate the training, operation, and maintenance of these platforms into a single location for the first time.