Defence manufacturers receive $3.4m in grants

The federal government is investing $3.4 million in 10 defence manufacturers in the latest round of the Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority programmes announced today.

The new grants will provide 50 per cent matching grants to support the delivery of cutting-edge defence capabilities, creating more than 50 jobs and helping to drive exports.

Grant recipients include a NSW company developing state-of-the-art counter-drone technology, a South Australian producer of composite structures for guided munitions and hypersonic vehicles and a Queensland business that manufactures complex components for use in precision guided munitions and hypersonic vehicles.

The grants add to more than $100 million already awarded to over 230 Australian businesses under the two grant programmes which support the government’s response to the Defence Strategic Review.

The latest recipients are:

• Aerobond (SA) receiving $849,876 to acquire and commission a 5-axis computerised numerical control machining centre, composite filament winding machine and related equipment for production and integration of composite structures and electronics in guided munitions, hypersonics and integrated defence systems
• Hendon Semiconductors (SA) receiving $689,251 to acquire and commission assorted equipment for printed circuit board prototyping, testing, inspection, reworking and application of conformal coatings, in support of a wide range of defence platforms which require ruggedised electronics.
• U-Neek Bending Co (VIC) receiving $631,833 to acquire and commission a Trumpf TruLaser Weld 5000 system for welding complex metal parts used in aerospace, land combat vehicles and munitions
• Advanced Navigation (NSW) receiving $278,756 to acquire a wire bonder and associated equipment to establish a photonic chip assembly and characterisation capability, for use in inertial navigation and navigation Doppler Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems
• Advanced Power Drives (NSW) receiving $253,579 to acquire an automatic stencil printer, an automated optical inspection machine and related equipment for circuit board assembly and inspection, for use in uncrewed air systems
• Protonautics (QLD) receiving $245,267 to acquire and commission a computerised numerical control multi-tasking turning centre, measurement probes and non-destructive test capabilities to support the manufacturing of components for precision guided munitions and hypersonic vehicles
• Jehbco Manufacturing (NSW) receiving $142,316 to install post-curing ovens and chillers for production of silicone gaskets and O-rings used in guided weapons and maritime platforms
• Armor Australia (NSW) receiving $122,970 to acquire and integrate a fabric cutting system for application to multilayered ballistic protection materials for use in soft or hard compression moulded body armour
• Droneshield (NSW) receiving $104,700 to acquire, install and commission an anechoic test chamber to allow in-house testing of RF components that are used in anti-drone and electronic warfare systems
• And JTM Gaskets (SA) receiving $83,559 to acquire a high-speed cutting machine for precision use in gaskets for maritime and communications applications.

The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the government was committed to making sure Australian Defence Force personnel are equipped with the capabilities they need.

Conroy said: “One the best ways we can do this is through Defence grant programmes, which help businesses grow, creating highly skilled and well-paid jobs.

“Defence grant programmes such as these support our industry to be innovative and competitive in the production of world-class defence technologies and platforms.”

Picture: Aerobond prototyping