The Department of Defence has launched a Defence Digital Engineering Strategy to transform how it works with businesses and speed up capability acquisition and address operational gaps. The strategy is a key outcome of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and 2024 National Defence Strategy, which identified the need for Defence to accelerate digital technologies. According…
Liontown Resources produces first lithium Battery Materials producer Liontown Resources has produced its first lithium spodumene concentrate at Kathleen Valley in Western Australia, following the commissioning of the wet plant and end-to-end operation of the value chain. The milestone marks the start of production ramp-up to nameplate throughput of 3Mtpa, currently expected by the end…
The ambitious Future Made in Australia plan could get off to a healthy start if we focused on water security first. By Kristi McLachlan. Ramping up Australian manufacturing is much-needed blue-sky thinking, but how we manage water today and into the future needs to be part of that discussion. The average person would be stunned…
Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended the Hunter class anti-submarine warfare frigates being built in Adelaide by BAE Systems from criticism over their $4 billion price tag. Speaking in Darwin where the government received its first MQ-4C Triton long range, long endurance surveillance UAV (pictured), Marles was asked whether $4 billion was good value for…
Construction works are complete on a new world-class pharmaceutical compounding centre in Perth which will manufacture lifesaving medicines and help to diversify Western Australia’s economy. The facility will be one of the most technologically advanced compounding centres in Australia and has been supported by the state government’s Investment Attraction Fund. The new Baxter Healthcare facility…
In a boost for the Australian space industry, the iLAuNCH Trailblazer has announced a further $1 million in funding to accelerate university research towards commercialisation. Part of the $180 million Trailblazer program, the iLAuNCH Accelerator’s Fast Track fund provides seed funding for proof-of-concept demonstrator technologies with long-term commercial prospects. Fast Track will provide funding pathways…
Alcoa Corporation has announced the completion of its acquisition of Alumina Limited, taking control of the AWAC joint venture whose assets comprise bauxite mines and alumina and aluminium refineries in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Guinea. The takeover increases Alcoa’s economic interest in its core business and simplifys governance by acquiring the minority partner…
Additive manufacturer Aurora Labs and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) developer Innovaero have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage both companies capabilities in the defence UAS space. The MOU brings Aurora Labs 3D printed metal components and recently tested 3D printed micro gas turbines to Innovaero’s current UAS platforms. Earlier this month Aurora Labs…
Drone Detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield (DRO) has replied to its critics emphatically with the successful completion of its approximately $120 million fully underwritten placement at a price of $1.15 per New Share. DroneShield shares have come under pressure with the latest raising, and a placement that raised $75 million in April, confirming strong institutional…
The first round of Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grants is now open to researchers and industry in key areas identified by the federal government such as refining and processing of critical minerals, renewable hydrogen, and green metals. $180 million in funding is available for university researchers and their industry partners to commercialise research related to…
