11 firms receive defence industrial capability grants

The federal government today announced more than $8 million in support to 11 Australian businesses through the latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) grants.

Minister for defence industry Melissa Price said: “These grant recipients are making crucial investments to improve their manufacturing capabilities, which is supporting Australia’s sovereign industrial base.”

The grants are expected to improve domestic manufacturing capabilities, improve competitiveness, and develop new and valuable capabilities.

The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants announced today:

EPE, $1,400,000 to develop a world leading specialised unmanned systems proving ground, training area, and supporting Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield explosives (CBRNe) Sensor Test and Assurance Laboratory.
Diamond Defence Pty Ltd, $209,772 $290,990 to expand fibre-optic manufacturing capability at its Melbourne facility to make high performance military-spec fibre optic assemblies and harnesses which are not currently available in Australia.
Moog Australia, to acquire and install new specialist equipment.
Novafast International Pty Ltd, $1,366,962 to acquire and install new robotics equipment for new manufacturing technologies in composite products
Varley Rafael Australia, $183,022 to expand Guided Weapons capabilities by setting up and commissioning a SPIKE Launcher (pictured) assembly line, by upgrading facilities and associated security measures
HTA Group Pty Ltd, $1,069,479 to support the acquisition and installation of specialist equipment for defence and aerospace compliant vacuum hardening processes in Victoria and New South Wales
Australian Precision Technologies Pty Ltd, $1,054,137 to expand and update specialist equipment and current facilities for precision machining and milling
Able Industries Engineering Pty Ltd, $1,395,344 to purchase, construct, install and commission new capital equipment, implement workforce training, skills development and quality accreditation.
Able Industries Engineering Pty Ltd, $331,450 to complete building modifications to enhance the company’s ability to manufacture key components
Abstec Calibrations Australia Pty Ltd, $185,117 to extend an existing laboratory area to meet increased demand from defence industry and to improve their National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) scope of accreditation
GW Kewder Engineering Pty Ltd, $294,000 to invest in specialist machining tools to continue to support the manufacture of precision components
Campagno Engineering Pty Ltd, $609,266 to acquire and install specialist equipment.

Since the grants program’s inception in November 2018, 99 grants have been awarded to Australian small and medium businesses, with a combined value of $55.6 million.

This post has been edited to correct references to Moog Australia and Diamond Defence.