ADF invests $100m in new drones

The federal government will invest over $100 million to buy new lethal and non-lethal drones from a German and an Australian manufacturer.

The acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) will bolster the ADF’s ability to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance and augments the ADF’s existing stock of drones.

The Quantum-Systems Vector 2-in-1 and the Sypaq Systems CorvoX (pictured) will support the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in confined areas, including small marine craft, and urban environments.

Both systems can be deployed as a complement to crewed systems.

SYPAQ CEO Amanda Holt said: “This is the culmination of a journey we have embarked on with the Commonwealth in establishing true sovereign design, manufacture and support for military-grade SUAS in Australia.

“It’s a truly remarkable achievement to work with CASG and the Commonwealth to redefine the way Australia’s defence industry delivers and maintains SUAS capability for Australian Defence Force users.”

SYPAQ will complete design and manufacture of the Corvo X SUAS for DEF129 in Melbourne.

The project will generate over 18 jobs and builds on the export success of SYPAQ’s Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) which is used by Ukraine.

The Australian CorvoX was developed through a Defence Innovation Hub Special Notice in 2018, in response to Army’s requirements for its future man-portable Small Unmanned Aerial System (SUAS) capability.

After successfully proving the concept, the Corvo X was selected by the Army for further development and capability demonstration in 2019.

The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “Defence’s partnership with two pioneering companies is an example of how the Albanese Government is not only investing in Australian ingenuity but also in the capabilities our ADF personnel needs to keep Australians safe.

“With this investment the Albanese Government will grow our defence industrial base, supply chains and create highly skilled, well-paid jobs.”

The two new SUAS will be delivered in 2025 as Defence continues expediting the acquisition of new drones while continuing to trial low-cost, expendable uncrewed and autonomous systems, according to the government.

“This approach will add to the more than 20 drone systems already acquired including models that have been in service for more than a decade and platforms with multiple payload options. ”

Further reading:
Sypaq’s cardboard drones used in Ukraine

Picture: Defence/Sypaq Systems CorvoX