Lithgow Arms began on June 8, 1912, when the Australian Government established the Lithgow Small Arms Factory to reduce the nation's dependence on British defence materials. During World War I, the factory manufactured SMLE III rifles and Pattern 1907 bayonets for the Australian military, establishing itself as a critical defence asset. The facility expanded significantly during World War II, producing Vickers machine guns and Bren guns, demonstrating its capacity to support national defence during wartime. Post-war, Lithgow diversified into sporting goods, civilian firearms, and golf clubs, while continuing military production. From the mid-1950s onward, the factory produced the F1 submachine gun, L1A1 SLR, and various general-purpose machine guns. The company was corporatised as Australian Defence Industries by the Hawke government and later sold in 2006 to Thales Australia, a global defence and technology company. Today, Lithgow Arms continues its mission of supporting Australian sovereignty and defence capabilities. The facility manufactures the EF88 Austeyr rifle and F89 Minimi currently used by the Australian Defence Force. In 2023, Thales Australia opened a new advanced manufacturing facility in Lithgow to enhance sovereign munitions capability. The company has also partnered with Denmark's Våbenfabrikken to establish NATO small arms production capabilities, demonstrating its role in international defence partnerships. With a workforce of over 130 skilled personnel, many with military backgrounds, Lithgow Arms remains committed to producing quality weapons systems and supporting veterans.