Rapidly translating disruptive new technologies into Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability is essential for preparing our nation for future challenges. We’re regularly reminded by events across the globe that enemies can interfere with the affairs of another country without ever physically crossing their border. Cyber-attacks on infrastructure can cripple daily activities and information warfare has influenced decisions. What’s more, with the Defence environment increasingly benefiting from technological advances, it’s critical our understanding of how humans interact with those technologies evolves accordingly. The Defence Strategic Review recognises that to keep pace with these advances, a whole-of-nation approach is needed to ensure ...

Building on the success of the initial agreement established in 2019, Babcock Australasia (Babcock) will expand the supply of counter-chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (C-CBRNE) asset management and solutions to the Australian Defence Force. Since securing the contract, Babcock has grown the scope and output of the program by more than 400 per cent, addressing critical Defence capability and technology shortfalls through the supply of new C-CBRNE tools. Babcock’s C-CBRNE program delivers 132 different types of equipment in support of a tri-service capability including explosive ordnance disposal suits, remote operating vehicles and various chemical detection systems. The strong performance ...

South Australian company Axiom Precision Manufacturing has secured a multi-year contract with Boeing to deliver doors for the AH-64E Apache attack reconnaissance helicopters. The Defence export contract was awarded through Boeing’s participation in Australia’s Global Supply Chain Program and will see Axiom manufacture components and assemble doors for the global Apache fleet. The manufacturing opportunity is set to create new jobs and boost apprenticeships, according to Axiom General Manager Craig Maynard, who predicts the company’s workforce will grow by 15 per cent. “This contract is an amazing opportunity for us to showcase our precision manufacturing and assembly capabilities,” Maynard said. ...

South Australian company REDARC Defence & Space has unveiled a new Mission-Capable INEOS Grenadier that showcases its innovative power solutions and capabilities in a realistic, challenging environment. Underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and supporting the Australian defence industry, the 2023 INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster Edition has undergone a comprehensive customisation process by REDARC to demonstrate its ability to deliver solutions suitable for remote, harsh environments. To equip the Grenadier for demanding missions in remote locations, a suite of power, communications, and recovery gear has been integrated into the platform, requiring collaboration with a range of partners providing high-quality, reliable products ...

South Australian-based company QuantX Labs has been awarded two contracts with the Department of Defence for its cutting-edge atomic clock technology. Based at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen innovation precinct, QuantX specialises in developing precision timing and sensing technologies. With initial research and development undertaken at the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) at The University of Adelaide, the company has translated years of research and development into the state-of-the-art portable optical atomic clocks. Under the contracts, the company will deliver a mobile precision timing test bed for Defence Systems to DSTG Edinburgh. This test bed is due for delivery in ...

Leading South Australian spaceport provider Southern Launch and Queensland aerospace company Hypersonix Launch Systems have teamed up to develop ground-breaking hypersonic flight testing capabilities in South Australia. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on developing a hypersonic test bed service from Southern Launch’s spaceports at Koonibba Test Range or Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. Hypersonix is an aerospace engineering, design and manufacturing company, specialising in hypersonic vehicle technology and scramjet engine. The strategic agreement paves the way for Hypersonix to launch and return its test bed vehicles, with plans for the first mission in ...

A record 67 exhibitors have joined the South Australian contingent at this year’s biennial land defence expo, Land Forces International Defence Exposition. The event, is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11 to 13 September 2024. Defence SA Chief Executive Matt Opie said the South Australian contingent is larger than the previous event high of 58 at the 2022 event. “There has been a sharp uptick in South Australian exhibitors over the past 14 years, with just 12 exhibitors attending the 2010 event,” said Mr Opie. “This increase demonstrates the growth, demand, and increased investment by ...

Local South Australian company Aurizn has today announced the release of Infinite Studio 4.0, a widely anticipated update to an already trusted tool within the military and defence industries in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Infinite Studio is the industry-leading synthetic scene generator, a type of software that creates realistic, computer-generated images and environments, enabling test and evaluation of Defence equipment in a controlled, virtual environment. Powered by Unreal Engine 5 and backed by over two decades of research from the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group, this latest version offers unparalleled spatial fidelity and multispectral credibility. ...

In a move set to boost the nation’s critical Defence capabilities across air defence and remote weapons, global defence giant Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has officially unveiled a new multi-million-dollar production facility in South Australia. The Norwegian company’s $25 million facility, based at Mawson Lakes’ Technology Park, will support national Defence acquisition and sustainment programs in missiles, air defence and remote weapon stations. President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Eirik Lie, said the facility – the company’s first one in the Asia-Pacific region – will aid in strengthening Australian’s sovereign defence capability and growing the local workforce. “We are fully ...

Defence SA's concept for the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) in northern Adelaide has come to life through a partnership with Renewal SA and Defence Australia. As a result, works have now begun on the construction of a four bay aircraft hangar to support the onshore maintenance and modification of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. The milestone for the DMMF project was marked at an official sod turning and smoking ceremony on 5 September. This is one of the most significant investments in critical defence ...

Defence SA has welcomed Anthony Heath as Director Defence Industry – UK, effective 9 September 2024. The newly established role will bolster ties between South Australia and the United Kingdom, harnessing strategic opportunities for partnerships in both countries’ defence sectors. Anthony will be responsible for supporting and maintaining close relationships with industry, industry associations and government representatives to support key defence projects. Throughout his established career, Anthony has held various senior international roles across the private sector, Defence and Government with a strong focus on consulting, crisis management, negotiation and operational planning. Defence SA Chief Executive Matt Opie said that ...

South Australia will lead the charge as the first state to formally introduce a Degree Apprenticeship program for mechanical engineering, paving the way to a promising career in the defence industry. The South Australian Skills Commission has formally declared the innovative educational pathway which provides students with the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn’ and follows the launch of a pilot Degree Apprenticeship program in software engineering. Flinders University has partnered with Adelaide-based Defence industry primes ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems Australia to launch the landmark Higher Education Trade Degree Apprenticeship in Engineering, welcoming apprentices from early 2025. Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor ...