$1.85 million in Defence Global Competitiveness Grants announced ahead of London DSEI expo

9 September 2019 19:50

By Staff Reporter

Defence industry minister Melissa Price has announced $1.85 million in grants under a program aimed at defence SMEs with global ambitions.

A statement from Price – who is in London as part of a visit to the UK and France to promote Australian defence companies – named 13 companies as recipients of grants between $82,262 and $150,000 under the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants program.

“The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants help Australian small businesses to build their export capability, which presents new opportunities in overseas markets,” said Price.

“Importantly, helping small businesses become ‘export-ready’ means they can take up opportunities to help them grow and create more Australian jobs.”

Companies (see below) included QPE Fabrication, Levett Engineering and Craig International Ballistics.

Some of the successful grant recipients, as well as Price, will attend the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) expo in London, which runs from September 10 – 13, and is expected to attract 1,600 exhibitors and 35,00 attendees from over 50 countries.

61 companies are part of the “Team Defence Australia” delegation.

Picture: ballistics.com.au

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Defence Global Competitiveness Grants announced (source: Department of Defence Ministers)

Company	Grant Amount	Details	State
Australian Performance Vehicles	$150,000	Invest in advanced manufacturing facilities for the production of military restraints for land and amphibious vehicles.	VIC
Levett Engineering	$150,000	Purchase precision machining for the manufacture of component parts for the aerospace industry, enabling them to manufacture complex avionics assemblies for military aircraft and grow sales into military supply chains in the United States.	SA
Defendtex	$150,000	Purchase specialised equipment to scale up its Victorian facility for the manufacture of commercial quantities of explosives and propellant.	VIC
Quality Production Engineers	$150,000	Increase technical capacity for manufacturing large, complex, highly precise jobs.	SA
Craig International Ballistics	$145,686	Invest in manufacturing equipment for product accreditation, and enhanced networks and software implementation to improve data protection.	QLD
Athinian Valley	$150,000	Purchase equipment to manufacture complex shaped components for frigates and other vessels being built in the United Kingdom.	SA
Nupress Tools	$150,000	Undertake a Quality Improvement Program that will enhance the company’s manufacturing of hot engine components and support access to global defence supply chains.	NSW
Carbonicboats	$150,000	Build in-house facilities to test and measure performance and reliability of its Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.	NSW
PMB Defence Engineering	$82,262	Procure and commission a versatile testing facility for new technology batteries.	SA
Dobbie Dico Meter Company	$148,507	Improve its capability to manufacture high quality small precision parts as components of operational maritime pumps.	WA
Ruslyn Holdings	$17,100	Purchase tooling to manufacture a plastic lightweight rugged hook and line reel.	NSW
Nupress Tools	$112,817	Purchase wire cutting machinery to enhance their manufacturing capabilities and increase the company’s eligibility an access to international defence export programs.	NSW
QPE Fabrications	$150,000	Acquire, install and train personnel for capital equipment necessary for Defence related programs	SA
HeliMods	$150,000	Purchase plant equipment to manufacture large machined components used in the assembly of military and paramilitary helicopters	QLD