Hanwha Defence supply chain companies share Victorian grants

Funding of $827,000 has been awarded to 13 Victorian businesses to help them better compete for and win projects as part of the supply chain for Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) and other major defence businesses.

The grants, in rounds three and four of the Victorian government’s Supply Chain Uplift Program (SCUP), are designed to create new jobs, export opportunities, and attract investment to Victoria.

Victoria’s Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins said: “The Supply Chain Uplift Program is giving our local manufacturers the best shot at securing new contracts – creating new jobs for Victorians and boosting our economy.”

The successful companies in these two rounds include Amiga Engineering P/L, Anywise Consulting, Brockman Engineering, Copamate, Corvus Technology Solutions, Diamond Defence, Electric Motor Power, NanoCube, Parish Engineering, Secure Bits, Sutton Tools and Tickford Racing.

The matched co-funded grants of up to $100,000 will support manufacturers to undertake business improvement projects, such as systems or facility upgrades, obtaining necessary industry accreditations, and further research and product development programmes.

Acting Managing Director Dean Michie said: “Working with the Victorian Government to support our two key defence programmes means that these SMEs are able to work with us and also on other defence programmes, truly uplifting the capabilities and capacities of the sector to complete both here and in Australia.”

Since 2021, the Victorian Government’s $10 million Victorian Land Systems Fund and Supply Chain Uplift Program have funded business improvement projects at 22 small and medium sized Victorian businesses.

The Managing Director of Diamond Defence Dr Steven Trpkovski said: “The support provided by the Victorian Government through SCUP has enabled Diamond Defence to establish a world leading capability in Australia for the Australian defence industry.”

So far, over $1.3 million has been awarded to enable companies to engage in activities such as modernising manufacturing processes, purchasing equipment and gaining certifications and accreditations to work in the defence sector.

Victoria’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing, workforce talent and defence-related research and development contributes around $8.4 billion annually to the Victorian economy and employs over 24,300 workers.

Michie said” “The opening of the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in August this year demonstrates our commitment to Victoria, the Department of Defence and our supply chain partners.”

Picture: Hanwha Defence Australia