Industry needs to prepare to grow with defence needs – by Sarah Pavillard

The federal government has announced a review of defence industry policy, and is also close to making an announcement on its selection of Australia’s future nuclear powered submarines. At the same time relations with China are in the news. Here Sarah Pavillard looks at the opportunities opening up for defence industry. Major announcements will come…

Build conventional submarines to maintain local skills – unions

Australian maritime trade unions have called on the federal government to commit to building six conventionally powered submarines locally to protect Australia’s sovereign defence capability as we transition to a nuclear submarine fleet in the 2040s. The Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions (ASFU) national convenor Glenn Thompson (pictured) warned that the nuclear submarines promised under…

SciDev’s big mining sector contract win

Wastewater treatment company SciDev has won a new three-year contract to supply its MaxiFlox treatment chemicals to Australia’s largest zircon mine and processing plant near Ceduna in South Australia. The company will supply the flocculant chemicals to Illuka Resources’ Jacinth-Ambrosia operation (pictured) under a $14 million extension to its existing supply contracts. Maxiflox is used…

CEA Technologies $277 million electronic warfare contract

Australian defence radar systems manufacturer CEA Technologies has been awarded a $277 million contract to provide advanced capabilities for Australia’s electronic warfare ranges as part of major upgrades to upgrade electronic attack capabilities. Canberra-based CEA will provide a number of fixed and portable emitters to support training exercises and strengthen capability across the Australian Defence…

Capral completes distribution acquisition

Aluminium products manufacturer Capral has completed its acquisition of Allyman Aluminium, an aluminium distribution business in Wollongong, New South Wales, servicing the South Coast of NSW. The acquisition comes as part of Capral’s commitment to expanding its distribution footprint to ensure it has Aluminium Trade Centres and distribution hubs strategically located throughout Australia, according to…