A scouting party of 13 Queensland companies and government defence industry experts is in Adelaide this week hunting for lucrative Army contracts.

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham joined the group last night (EDS: Tuesday) at the three-day Land Forces 2016 exhibition, the biggest gathering of Army contractors and defence forces buyers in Australasia.

“Queensland businesses won $3.8 billion worth of new national defence contracts in 2015–16,” he said.

“For example, Brisbane-headquartered Boeing Defence Australia partnered with Brisbane-based Harris Communications Australia and GH Varley on a $665 million contract to provide next generation military communication upgrades.

“This contract has created around 250 new defence industry jobs – most of them in Queensland.

“It is important that international prime contractors and defence departments know what our state capabilities and world-class expertise are.”

The biennial Land Forces exhibition attracts key local and international defence personnel, government representatives, equipment suppliers and industry leaders in the field of land warfare capability.

The 13 Queensland companies from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Dalby will be stationed at the government’s Defence Industries Queensland trade stand from today to Thursday.

Dr Lynham will address business and defence industry leaders at a networking breakfast today (EDS:Wednesday).

The 13 Queensland companies are:

• Craig International Ballistics, Arundel, Gold Coast
• Downs Sheet Metal, Dalby
• Ferra Engineering, Tingalpa, Brisbane
• Immersaview, Banyo, Brisbane
• Laserdyne Technologies, Molendinar, Gold Coast
• Micreo, Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane
• PJ Bowers, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
• Rhino Linings Australasia, Molendinar, Gold Coast
• STEYR Motors Australia, Stafford, Brisbane
• TAE, RAAF Base Amberley
• Thompson Couplings, Archerfield, Brisbane
• VeHiQA Integrated Vehicle Intelligence, Eagle Farm, Brisbane
• Volvo Group Governmental Sales Oceania, Sumner Park, Brisbane.

Dr Lynham said the government was keen to continue to grow the defence industries and create the knowledge-based jobs, export earnings and research and innovation opportunities the industry offered.

“We are finalising a 10-Year Defence Industries Roadmap to shape the future direction of defence industries in Queensland and ensure our companies continue to win contracts and generate jobs in Australian and international defence supply chains,” he said