defence manufacturing

The federal government has awarded five Australian businesses contracts with a combined value of more than $12 million to further develop their innovative technologies to support the Australian Defence Force. Funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, the investments will see Sentient Vision Systems, a small Australian computer vision technology company, awarded a $5.5 million contract to … Continue reading Defence Innovation Hub contracts worth $12m awarded →

Australia’s Department of Defence has formally accepted the first two deployable cabins for the ADF’s F-35A fleet from Lockheed Martin Australia and the Newcastle-based fabrication experts Varley Group. Fifteen of the cabins will eventually be delivered by Lockheed Martin and Varley Group. The will deployable duty facility (DDF) cabins operate the information and communication technology … Continue reading First two F-35A deployable cabins delivered by Lockheed Martin and Varley →

The federal government has launched its annual grants program for Australian small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in delivering the pipeline of projects enhancing the capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants program makes available a total of $17 million in grants per year to eligible Australian SMEs with fewer than … Continue reading Federal government launches defence industry grants program for SMEs →

The sod has been turned at the site of Rheinmetall’s new Australian headquarters at Ipswich in Queensland, marking the beginning of works for the facility that will build a pipeline of military vehicles for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). When complete, the $170 million MILVEHCOE facility will deliver the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 … Continue reading Work begins on new Rheinmetall HQ in Queensland →

Austal’s American subsidiary, Austal USA, has delivered its fourth expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ship to the US Navy this year, bringing the total number of EPF vessels delivered by the shipbuilder to 10. The USNS Burlington (EPF 10) was constructed at Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, where two additional Spearhead-class EPFs are under construction. “Austal … Continue reading Austal delivers another EFT vessel to the US Navy →

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Defence Council has signed MOUs with the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) and the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN National) to collaborate on developing the capacity of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the defence industry. The agreements will see the organisations work closely together in an effort to improve the … Continue reading Ai Group teams up with defence industry advocacy groups to boost SME participation →

The Western Australian government has launched a strategic plan to capitalise on the state’s manufacturing and technological capabilities and grow the local defence industry. Western Australia’s Premier Mark McGowan launched the Western Australia Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan during his address at the inaugural Indo-Pacific Defence Conference on Tuesday. The premier said that the … Continue reading WA launches defence industry strategy →

The South Queensland Defence Advisory Board met for the first time in Brisbane this week to develop strategies to accelerate local defence industry growth. The board meeting, hosted at Volvo Group’s Wacol headquarters, brought together industry leaders who advise the government on growing South Queensland’s defence industry and supply chain. The board’s chair, Jane Hunter, … Continue reading South Qld defence industry advisory board meets →

Australian manufacturer CableX will receive government funding to support their entry into global supply chains under two of its defence grant programs. CableX, a manufacturer of custom cables and harness assemblies based in Bentleigh, Melbourne, will receive support to partner with industry experts under the Boost Your Business Defence, Aerospace and Security stream and the … Continue reading CableX receives government support to help access defence supply chains →

The North Queensland Defence Advisory Board has met for the first time in Townsville to discuss future strategies for the region’s defence industry. The board meeting brought together industry leaders who will provide strategic advice to the government for the growing of North Queensland’s defence industry and supply chain. Queensland’s state development and manufacturing minister, … Continue reading Advisory board to drive defence industry strategy in North Qld →

Queensland-based company EPE and the Defence Innovation Hub have tested the performance and functionality of a Maritime Portable Raman Improvised Explosive Detector (PRIED) prototype in Darwin. Tested on the HMAS Coonawarra this week, the technology was developed through a partnership between EPE and the Defence Innovation Hub. The Maritime PRIED prototype’s objective is to provide … Continue reading EPE tests maritime explosive detection technology on HMAS Coonawarra →

The Queensland government is funding new 3D augmented reality systems to help train workers seeking welding qualifications. Ten augmented reality welding training simulators have been purchased by the government at a total cost of up to $800,000. Queensland state development, manufacturing, infrastructure and planning minister, Cameron Dick, said that the systems would help workers meet … Continue reading Qld gov funding 3D augmented reality systems for welding training →

Seven Australian organisations and individuals have been rewarded for innovation in the defence industry field at the 2018 Land Forces exposition in Adelaide. Developed by the not-for-profit Land Forces organiser Industry Defence and Security Australia Limited (IDSAL), this is the third time the Innovation Awards have been awarded at the event. The awards are open … Continue reading Defence innovations recognised at the Land Forces 2018 →

Three expert advisory groups have been set up by the Queensland government to support the development of the state’s defence industry. The advisory groups will provide strategic advice about defence industry development and related investments. Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said that they had been established to help accelerate the … Continue reading Three QLD defence industry advisory groups established →

German-based military manufacturer Rheinmetall Defence has signed another contract to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with over a thousand additional trucks and modules. Just signed, the contract is valued at almost $700 million, with delivery of the vehicles to commence in 2019 and be completed in 2024. It forms part of Australia’s Land 121 … Continue reading Rheinmetall signs contract for 1000 more ADF trucks →

Australian defence companies have an opportunity to showcase their world-class capabilities around the globe, with applications now open for the third edition of the Australian Military Sales Catalogue. Minister for Defence, Christopher Pyne, called on Australian defence companies to submit their applications for inclusion in the 2019 edition of the Catalogue. “Australian companies have a proven track … Continue reading Opportunity for Aussie defence companies to showcase their capabilities →

Australian steel manufacturer Bisalloy has announced a 56 per cent increase in sales this year, its best for defence exports in over a decade. The company is Australia’s only manufacturer of high-tensile and abrasion-resistant quenched and tempered steel plate used for armour, structural and wear-resistant steel applications. Based in Unanderra, NSW, Bisalloy exports its products … Continue reading Bisalloy Steels announces best export results in 10 years →

Australian company Varley Group and global defence company Rafael have announced a joint venture, Varley Rafael Australia, to help build sovereign capabilities and create export opportunities. Announcing the news yesterday, Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the partnership is a great mark of confidence in Australia’s defence industry. “This partnership between one of Australia’s best defence companies … Continue reading Varley, Rafael joint venture opens new opportunities →

Confidence appears to be rising among Australian companies working in the defence industry, with new figures released by Defence Export Controls (DEC) revealing a boost in defence export applications. The DEC’s numbers show that the number of defence and dual-use export permit applications received in the last quarter of 2017–18 were 25 per cent higher … Continue reading DEC figures reveal expanding defence export opportunities →

Tasmanian SME Penguin Composites has partnered with the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) to explore hybrid composite materials in defence manufacturing. The partnership will focus on enhancing platform-independent technologies that can be applied across supply chains including in the land, maritime, aerospace and space sectors, Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, announced on Friday. Penguin Composites specialises … Continue reading Penguin Composites joins DMTC on advanced defence manufacturing →