Department of Defence

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 →

  South Australian company Airspeed has signed a contract with Thales Australia for the design and manufacture of key components for Next Generation Sonar Systems. Announcing the news today, Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne said the contract brought the total value of contracts achieved under the Global Supply Chain program to over $1 billion. Thales has … Continue reading New defence contract highlights success of Global Supply Chain program →

The Australian government has announced the commissioning of the first Australian-built Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Hobart. According to the Department of Defence, the warship brings together the best of Australian and global technology to be one of the world’s most potent and lethal warships.  She will provide air defence for accompanying ships, in addition to land … Continue reading Australia commissions its first air warfare destroyer →

The process of selecting the design for Australia’s Future Frigate program will be expedited so construction of the ships can begin by 2020, according to the Australian.  Minister for defence industry Christopher Pyne said that the frigate design tenders were reduced to two. Pyne said that though the tender for the frigate build is slated … Continue reading Future Frigates construction to start by 2020 →

The Australian reports today that the delivery of the Air Warfare Destroyer project will be pushed back due to cuts in the Defence budget.