SMEs awarded over $11 m in defence grants
The federal government has awarded more than $11 million in grants to 20 Australian small businesses in the latest round of the Sovereign Industrial Capability Grants Program.
The SICP program is designed to lift the competitiveness of small-to-medium sized enterprises (fewer than 200 employees) that align with defence priority areas. It offers between $50,000 and $1 million in dollar-matched funding to SMEs contributing to local capabilities, and aims to build the capacity and resilience of Australian SMEs.
Among successful companies (see full list below) were RUAG Australia, which earned $918,935 to “Enhance manufacture of aerospace platform components” and Franmarine Underwater Services, awarded $949,171 to help it “Establish a facility to service Royal Australian Navy vessels in maintenance activities”.
Picture: APS Adelaide Profile Services
Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.
Below is the full list from today’s grant announcement (source: https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/melissa-price/media-releases/australian-defence-industry-funding-support)
| Company | Grant Amount | Grant Funding Purpose | State |
| Phasor Innovation | $98,138 | Establish a specialised radio frequency laboratory to enhance testing and design capabilities. | VIC |
| Athinian Valley | $189,654 | Fund plant and equipment that will increase technical capability and capacity. | SA |
| Indra Australia | $146,772 | Establish a secure facility to enable collaboration with Defence and other businesses in the defence sector. | NSW |
| Clearbox Systems | $202,570 | Upgrade security of is facilities to enable enhanced capabilities when developing sensitive technologies. | ACT |
| Q-Ctrl | $468,645 | Hiring of appropriately qualified staff and purchase software to enable the development of electronic warfare capabilities. | NSW |
| Franmarine Underwater Services | $949,171 | Establish a facility to service Royal Australian Navy vessels in maintenance activities. | WA |
| Holmwood Highgate | $1,000,000 | Enhance their ability to manufacture bulk liquid transport equipment serving the commercial, aviation and defence industries. | QLD |
| Aurumtown | $1,000,000 | Upgrade their facilities to increase storage and manufacturing capabilities. | VIC |
| Mactaggart Scott Australia | $267,377 | Enhance its ability to deliver enhanced submarine testing capabilities. | SA |
| Team Zenith | $1,000,000 | Upgrade capital equipment and increase productivity. | SA |
| RUAG Australia | $918,935 | Enhance manufacture of aerospace platform components. | VIC |
| Agent Oriented Software | $510,634 | Enhance ability to test future generation of ADF autonomous, unmanned ground vehicles. | VIC |
| Precision Metal Group | $1,000,000 | Enhance ability to manufacture specialised metal components. | NSW |
| Supacat | $541,153 | Enhance ICT security infrastructure, design engineering capabilities and supply chain integration. | VIC |
| Southern Launch | $128,977 | Develop an overland rocket test range to support sub-orbital launches and satellite recovery for testing and validation of rockets and satellite subsystems. | SA |
| MultiMedia Concepts | $137,513 | Enhance its ability to produce bespoke computer-based training and simulations. | NSW |
| BMP Engineering | $757,282 | Enhance ability to engineer and manufacture complex and precision Defence, Aerospace and munitions components. | VIC |
| IKAD Engineering | $1,000,000 | Enhance ability to manufacture complex components to support Continuous shipbuilding program and Collins class submarine SICPs. | WA |
| Vipac Engineers and Scientists | $164,950 | Purchase and commission of a Shock Testing System to enhance shock test capabilities. | VIC |
| Boss Investments Australia | $132,686 | Purchase of an edge rounding machine to enhance capability to manufacture precision sheet metal components. | QLD |
Topics Defence Manufacturing News
@aumanufacturing Sections
Analysis and Commentary Awards Defence Manufacturing News Podcast Technology Videos