DroneShield makes $13 million investment in new Adelaide R&D facility, opening in March

Counter-drone business DroneShield has said it will invest $13 million in a new R&D facility at Adelaide, which is expected to initially employ 20 in engineering roles.

The site will be headed up by former Lockheed Martin Australia Hardware Engineering manager Jeff Wojtiuk (pictured), who is also an Adjunct Professor at University of Adelaide and Board Director at the Defence Teaming Centre.

DroneShield – whose recent milestones include joining the ASX200 and hiring its 400th employee globally – said on Tuesday that Adelaide was chosen for reasons including the proximity to global defence and aerospace organisations, the skilled engineering workforce, and established infrastructure supporting electronic warfare and radio frequency systems.

CEO Oleg Vornik added: “Establishing our first R&D office in Australia outside of our Sydney Headquarters – in Adelaide – is a strategic move that supports DroneShield’s mission to deliver world-leading counter-drone and EW solutions.

“DroneShield’s growth to 400 employees globally – with the majority of our team being engineers – reflects our commitment to deep technical capability and delivery.”

The $13 million investment covers three years of operational and capital expenditure, according to DroneShield, and compliments existing engineering operations in Sydney and supports the Company’s continued growth in advanced RF electronics and EW. 

It follows an announcement of a similarly-sized investment in July, concerning an R&D and manufacturing expansion at its Alexandria, Sydney site, with an expected opening in December.

The new Adelaide site is expected “to be fully up and running” by March next year.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

DroneShield achieves a spot on the ASX200

DroneShield soars with record revenue and massive pipeline growth

DroneShield announces record-breaking order worth $61.6 million

DroneShield commits $13 million to research and manufacturing expansion

DroneShield passes 4,000 sales mark with $8 million US order