Attack on Melbourne defence manufacturer under investigation as act of terrorism
Melbourne, Aug 5 (IANS/GURPUNEET SIDHU) Australian authorities said on Wednesday that a 2025 attack on a Melbourne defence manufacturer is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Lovitt Technologies in the northeast suburbs of Melbourne was targeted in the early hours of July 5, 2025, with several vehicles set alight and the premises vandalised, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) and Victoria Police said in a joint statement on Wednesday that the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
They said that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), a joint initiative between the three agencies, is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism, potentially orchestrated by far-left extremists with anarchist and revolutionary ideologies.
The JCTT alleges that masked members of a group later posted a video online claiming responsibility for the attack.
In the video, the alleged offenders outlined their support for Palestine and provided instructions on how to create an incendiary device similar to one believed to have been used in the July 2025 attack.
A video shared online following the incident by an individual wearing a mask, who claimed to speak on behalf of the “Anonymous cell,” expressed support for Palestine and alleged that Lovitt Technologies was targeted because of its involvement in the global F-35 joint strike fighter programme, aircraft that have been used by the Israeli military.
Authorities said that the alleged offenders targeted the company in the belief it was part of the Australian Defense Force supply chain.
Lovitt Technologies’ website says the company supports Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as well as several Boeing military aircraft production programs.
The JCTT said that the alleged offenders could face life imprisonment if convicted of engaging in a terrorist act.
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