This is not business as usual. Defence infrastructure must perform under pressure, sustain operations in isolation, and safeguard national capability. 

BG&E brings engineering excellence, deep sector knowledge, and a proven track record in remote infrastructure delivery. We engineer Defence infrastructure as resilient as the people it serves.

Homeland vulnerability

Australia has committed $3.8 billion over the next four years to upgrade northern bases, as part of the $19 billion Defence Strategic Review. These works will harden facilities across air, naval and land bases, expand training areas, upgrade fuel and weapons storage, and improve resilience against climate impacts.

This investment comes as Australia faces unprecedented strategic risk. Geography is no longer our shield as long-range strike capabilities mean military bases, critical infrastructure and even population centres are exposed. Hardening infrastructure is essential, but true resilience also requires layered strategies: dispersed operations, secure energy, and redundancy across critical networks.

Hardening and layered Defence

Hardening means building for the unthinkable, creating facilities that stay operational in the face of attack. This involves fortified walls and entry points, protected ventilation, and independent power, water and communications. From storm shelters to military bunkers, the principle is the same: resilience when the stakes are high.

Security is never a single wall – it’s concentric. Perimeter measures, like bollards, fences and setbacks, deter and delay, while reinforced walls, hardened doors and blast glazing form the last line of resistance. 

The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing showed how inadequate setbacks left buildings exposed to catastrophic collapse, while the 2003 Jakarta Marriott bombing highlighted how glass failures injured hundreds despite the structure holding. Both underscore the need for layered defences.

Withstand the blast

Blast design ensures facilities survive and remain functional. Strategies include increasing standoff distances, introducing protective barriers, and optimising layouts to avoid structural weaknesses. Advanced materials such as ultra-high-performance concrete and steel-filled columns provide strength and ductility, while careful detailing enables safe deformation without collapse.

Built to last and adapt

Remote bases must endure as much as they function. Modern methods of construction reduce waste, emissions and costs, while modular systems integrate renewable energy and climate-resilient materials. The result is infrastructure that supports long-term operational readiness, regional communities and sustainability goals.

True resilience comes from integration, not single measures. Secure perimeters, progressive collapse prevention, debris control and hardened internal zones work together to protect life, infrastructure and operations. Every project begins with rigorous risk assessment to guide material choices and engineering strategies, ensuring readiness in the face of an attack.

Buildable by design

At BG&E, ambition meets buildability. Our structural engineers, durability specialists and materials scientists bring five decades of award-winning experience. Known as the contractor’s engineer, our Construction Engineering Group ensures bold designs are delivered safely and efficiently, refining sequencing, temporary works and digital modelling to de-risk and streamline delivery. 

In parallel, our materials and durability specialists extend asset life, reduce embodied carbon and embed sustainability by optimising concrete mixes, modelling corrosion and supporting construction and asset management. Together, these multidisciplinary teams deliver towers, stadia, bridges and Defence infrastructure that are visionary, resilient, efficient and ready for the real world.

Remote challenges, smart solutions

Building in the remote north pushes logistics, people, and materials to the limit. Bases like Learmonth, Curtin and Cocos (Keeling) face cyclones, extreme heat, and long supply chains where every delivery is a logistical challenge. Workforce shortages add pressure, as Defence competes with major resource projects for skilled labour. These bases must also be largely self-sufficient, with secure access to power, water and digital connectivity.

Overcoming challenges requires foresight and innovation. Digital twins created with 3D/4D modelling help predict risks before they escalate. Multi-modal transport strategies, regional stockpiles, and supply chain tracking strengthen reliability. Partnerships with local contractors and Indigenous businesses enhance delivery while leaving lasting regional benefits.

Modular construction

Prefabricated, modular facilities provide speed, flexibility and consistency. Manufactured offsite and assembled on location, they reduce labour needs and cut remote infrastructure delivery times. Their adaptability means units can be relocated, scaled or customised for barracks, command centres, or medical facilities, all while meeting strict durability and security standards.

Power in partnership

Defence’s success depends on genuine, two-way engagement with government, industry and communities. Instances of limited consultation on troop relocations highlight the risks of a one-way process. Building trust requires cooperative governance, consistency, and early, transparent dialogue so all stakeholders can adapt and contribute effectively.

Global partnerships and technology transfer accelerate capability, support local industry, and create jobs, but success hinges on clear protocols, strong incentives, and trusted public–private collaboration.

Delivery with discipline

With Defence spending surpassing $50 billion annually, the government is pursuing record investment. Selecting the right delivery model – Construct Only, Design & Construct (D&C), or turnkey Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) – is critical to balancing efficiency with control, but these models only deliver when underpinned by trust and transparency.

Defence projects test every system and stakeholder with multiple advanced technologies and tight fiscal constraints. Program and project management provide the structure to align responsibilities, integrate systems and manage risks. By applying proven methodologies, Defence stakeholders can streamline coordination, maintain oversight and deliver critical capabilities on time and on budget.

Start smart, build better

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) brings contractors into projects before designs are finalised, enabling accurate forecasting, better buildability, and improved risk management. This early input fosters innovation, enhances quality, and reduces costly design changes later. While mistrust of contractor motives can limit uptake, aligning incentives around shared goals of cost, time, and quality ensures ECI delivers efficient, high-value results. Partnering with builders leads to greater surety in delivery. 

The digital Defence estate

Defence infrastructure is now designed and delivered by distributed teams spanning states, countries and alliances, like AUKUS, the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA), the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and Pacific Security Partnerships. This opens access to global expertise but increases risks around data security, system compatibility and cyber threats.

Success depends on robust governance frameworks, Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) accreditation, and secure digital enclaves that protect sensitive information while enabling collaboration. With AI adding efficiency and risk, embedding digital security and trust into every layer of design and delivery is now mission-critical.

Mission ready

From evolving threats to remote delivery and digital collaboration, Defence infrastructure is growing more complex. Meeting these demands takes technical strength, resilience, adaptability and trusted relationships. BG&E brings proven expertise in hardened structures, remote resilient builds and collaborative delivery models to deliver infrastructure that protects people and strengthens Defence capability. Explore our Defence Projects or download our Defence Services Brochure and Defence Case Study Brochure. Let’s collaborate and discuss your next project.

Related Resources

Building Tomorrow’s Port with Future-proof Design | BG&E

Balancing Concrete, Steel and Timber: The Future of Architecture and Structural Design | BG&E