Melissa Price

A DART rocket carrying a Defence payload has launched today from Koonibba Rocket Range in South Australia, marking the first commercial rocket launch to the edge of space from Australia. At just 3.4 metres long and weighing 34 kilograms, the DART rocket is a fraction of the size of rockets launched by NASA and SpaceX. … Continue reading Air Force’s first space payload launch from Australia →

The Australian Government is examining more opportunities for Australia’s local industry in the Hunter Class Frigate Program with three feasibility studies for Australian industry to participate in the build phase of the first three frigates. Prime contractor ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia, has engaged Queensland-based Craig International Ballistics to investigate an Australian … Continue reading Hunter Class Frigate Program to have more engagement with Australian industry →

Eight individuals studying at three universities across Australia have been awarded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarships by Defence. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Defence was working to take a leading role in shaping the national STEM agenda and build a strong record of inclusion. This week marked National Science Week, Australia’s … Continue reading STEM scholarships grow Defence’s talent pool →

Efforts to boost Australia’s defence exports are going online with plans for a series of webinars and one-on-one virtual discussions with small businesses across the country. The virtual sessions will be led by Australia’s Defence Export Advocate, David Johnston, who has been tasked to help small businesses overcome export challenges arising from COVID-19. The Australian … Continue reading Defence export advocate goes virtual promoting small business to the world →

Defence small businesses will be recruited to join the fight against cyber threats under a new industry support program being launched, according to a statement by Defence. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Australian small businesses will receive funding to develop ambitious, game-changing capabilities for the Australian Defence Force. The Defence Industry Competitive Evaluation … Continue reading Cyber the early focus of new small business grant program →

Australia’s defence industry continues to fly high, with a key milestone reached in the maintenance of the Royal Australian Air Force’s new F-35 fighter jets. The first Australian F‑35A engine fan module has undergone routine maintenance at local Queensland business TAE Aerospace, based at Bundamba in Ipswich. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said it … Continue reading Australia leading the way in Asia Pacific F-35 maintenance →

The federal government has commenced the first stage of Tranche 1 of the Lethality System project which will create 23 new jobs while providing an enhanced capability and optimised weapon systems to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This first stage contract, valued at more than $7 million, will see Brisbane-based company NIOA approach the market, … Continue reading NIOA lands $7m contract with Defence →

Perth-based businesses Advanced Braking Technology and VEEM Ltd, will design and manufacture a specialised braking system for the Army’s Hawkei vehicle, another sign of growing capability in Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector. Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price said Advanced Braking Technology was selected in May last year to provide a brake system for testing to … Continue reading WA defence industry helping build Army vehicles →

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 →

Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, announced eight new contracts worth more than $21 million, funded under the government’s flagship $640 million defence innovation program. “This latest funding boost will see the development of cutting edge space, cyber and maritime technologies,” Price said. “The contracts were awarded to small businesses from across Australia, and two … Continue reading Eight new projects worth $21 million announced under defence innovation program →

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 →

Victorian graphene sensing company Imagine Intelligent Materials will receive $271,000 to explore and develop applications using advanced materials in military body armour for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The work, which will take place at the company’s facility in North Geelong, aims to reduce maintenance costs and enhance the safety of ADF members. Imagine Intelligent … Continue reading Graphene sensing company awarded Defence grant →

The department of defence has announced the first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) will be built in Western Australia as part of the federal government’s $90 billion Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program. This will be the third of twelve Arafura class OPVs, and the first to be built at the Civmec shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Minister … Continue reading Construction commences for first OPV in WA →

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 →

Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, has indicated that Defence may be closer to securing the 15,000 jobs needed to tackle national shipbuilding projects, after Defence Department and National Naval Shipbuilding College officials held talks with General Motors’ representatives last week about redeployment opportunities for Holden staff. Out of the 15,000 construction and supply chain … Continue reading Holden’s workforce could be redeployed to Naval Shipbuilding project →

The Australian Army has received $1.5 million to commence a 12-month pilot trial of a new metal ­­3D printing technology in order to modernise and enhance the resilience of the ADF’s supply chains. “This will reduce the requirement for our soldiers to deploy with bulky repair parts, redefining how logistics are deployed on the future … Continue reading Australian soldiers to be trained in 3D printing →

Saab has signed an Enterprise Partnering Agreement with the Department of Defence to provide combat management systems (CMS) across all Royal Australian Navy major surface ships. The system is a critical element of a ship’s fighting capability. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said it was pleasing to see such advanced capability being developed in the … Continue reading Saab to deliver combat management systems for Naval Shipbuilding Plan →

Kord Defence has been awarded a $1.4 million deal with the US Marine Corps. The small Canberra based company credits the federal government funding for its success. Kord develops mobile interface control solutions for military and law enforcement markets, and the contract will enable them to complete development of its Rifle Accessory Control Unit Technology.​ … Continue reading Australian company awarded US Marine Corps contract  →

Two Australian businesses, J3Seven and Point Trading, will provide the Australian Defence Forces with protection from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. The twin announcements are partnerships between the respective companies and Leidos Australia, which is the contractor providing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence equipment capability to the ADF. Point Trading, based in Moorabbin, … Continue reading Regional businesses provide chemical protection →