Department of Defence

The Australian space manufacturer, Gilmour Space Technologies, has been selected to develop and launch a new sovereign surveillance satellite for the Department of Defence, as part of the government’s $7 billion investment in new space capabilities. 

SoftIron Pty Ltd., a computer hardware manufacturer, will open a new manufacturing facility in Sydney with commissioning to begin in October, ready for early 2022. 

Research led by Flinders University at ASC’s deep submarine maintenance facility in Adelaide has shown how electrically charged surface coatings can eliminate marine bio-fouling, or sea organism growth, to potentially improve naval vessel operation and maintenance. 

Digital diagnostics company Ellume announced its first US manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland to support the domestic response to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Once fully operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce 19 million COVID-19 Home Tests per month.  Earlier this year, the facility was funded by a $231.8 million agreement with the US Department of Defence (DOD) and Department of Health … Continue reading Ellume establishes new facility to accelerate production of COVID-19 Home Tests →

The Australian Department of Defence and Lockheed Martin Australia have signed a direct commercial sale contract for the delivery of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) sovereign F-35 Training Support Services (TSS). The three-year $67.6m contract will support 60 existing F-35 training and support roles at the F-35 Integrated Training Centre, RAAF Base Williamtown, and establish … Continue reading Lockheed Martin Australia awarded F-35 training support services contract →

Up to 100 jobs will be created after the government signed a new 10-year contract with Brisbane-based company, NIOA Munitions, for a tenancy at the Benalla munitions factory in Victoria. The Australian-owned company is the largest commercial supplier of non-guided munitions to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through its partnerships with global manufacturers. Minister for … Continue reading Boosting munitions manufacturing capability in Australia →

The United States Naval Facilities Command Pacific has announced the US$10.07 million ($14.96 million) contract, which will see Australia’s Icon SI construct an earth-covered magazine facility at RAAF Base Tindal. The US construction contract is part of the United States Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI). The project is part of a range of initiatives for Australia … Continue reading Australian company wins US contract in the Top End →

The Australian Department of Defence and Gold Coast company Gilmour Space Technologies have joined forces to work together on space technologies under a new strategic agreement. The leading hybrid rocket launch provider is developing lower-cost, reliable and dedicated rockets to launch small satellites into low earth orbits. The new partnership between Defence, science and technology … Continue reading Defence signs agreement with Gold Coast space company →

Defence has partnered with a family-owned South Australian company to produce face shields for frontline healthcare workers for protection against the coronavirus. Axiom Precision Manufacturing began production last week, with 600 of the new face shields designed by Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) already being distributed. Defence minister the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said … Continue reading Defence and SA manufacturer produce face shields →

A new Commonwealth-funded course at Flinders University has opened as part of a $35 billion digital upskilling program to provide further training for ship builders. The Diploma of Digital Technology will combine theoretical approaches to Industry 4.0 technology with hands-on experience to prepare students for work at the state-of-the-art Osborne Naval shipyard in South Australia. … Continue reading Australia launches first digital ship building course →

More than 170 Australian small businesses across the country have been featured in the latest Australian Military Sales Catalogue released today by the Department of Defence. The document, Australian Defence Sales Catalogue, features information about support services available to the defence industry sector to increase opportunities for exports. Defence industry minister the Hon Melissa Price … Continue reading 170 small businesses promoted in military catalogue →

Australian supplier PMB Defence and Greek enterprise Systems Sunlight S.A have signed subcontracts to design the main storage batteries for the Attack class submarines. The batteries will power twelve regional submarines, which will be designed and built in Australia for the Australian Navy under the Federal Government’s $50 billion Attack class program. Defence minister Linda … Continue reading PMB signs deal to design batteries for defence submarines →

The Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN), has chastised the implementation of the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Program, for not including Australian manufacturers. With announcements of subcontracts from defence prime contracts going to overseas manufacturers, Lester Sutton, national board chair of AIDN, said that the federal government needed to review the AIC program. “The current … Continue reading Lack of Australian industry involvement in defence contracting criticised →

Professor Tanya Monro has been appointed as the chief defence scientist for the Australian government’s department of defence. She will lead Defence Science and Technology group at a time of increasing requirements for scientific and technology to advance defence capability. Monro has an extensive background in science, innovation and strategy and has been influential in … Continue reading New chief defence scientist appointed for defence department   →

The Australian government department of defence has signed three contracts to deliver information computer technology (ICT) support services to commence transitioning in February 2019. The support services include ICT service desk operations, integration and coordination of multiple suppliers to bring increased alignment and optimisation of ICT operation, and deskside support for about 100,000 users across … Continue reading Australia’s defence sector invests in information computer technology →

A major milestone has been reached on Australia’s journey to become a top ten global defence exporter. The Australian government department of defence has announced the Defence Export Facility will support the export of sophisticated Australian radar systems and patrol boats. The major milestone, which helps Australia’s journey to become a top ten global defence … Continue reading Australia’s defence sector grows with exports of radar systems and patrol boats →

Austal has been awarded a $16.5 million contract by the United States Department of Defence for a cost-plus-award fee against a previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement for work on the Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship, USS Charleston. Austal will provide program management, advanced planning, engineering, design, prefabrication and material kitting. The work will be conducted … Continue reading Austal awarded further US Littoral Combat Ship contract →

The Department of Defence has invited Australian companies to have their say on how marine support services should be delivered in the future. Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, has announced the release of a Request for Information for the Defence Marine Support Services (DMSS) Program. The program includes services such as tugs for port movements, harbour refuelling, … Continue reading Defence and industry to collaborate on future of marine support services →

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) at the University of Tasmania has partnered with Thales to investigate establishing a trials and test facility for naval sonar systems in Tasmania. Thales Australia, AMC and AMOG Consulting have signed an agreement  to co-develop a facility which can utilise northern Tasmania’s deepwater lakes to test the next generation of … Continue reading AMC, Thales join forces to develop sonar test facility in Tasmania →

Department of defence scientists will use a retired US Navy Seahawk helicopter to develop fatigue testing technologies, which could transform how military helicopters are managed with the potential to reduce maintenance costs and improve aircraft availability. Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said the department of defence was investing $5 million over the next five years in … Continue reading Australian technologies to be tested on US Helicopter →