The federal government has placed a $30 million order with Queensland-based Craig International Ballistics for body armour that will be used by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, including in combat and counter terrorism operations. The contract, which will also create and sustain dozens of jobs, supports local small-and-medium enterprises and a future made in Australia,…
Eight small to medium-sized businesses delivering priority capabilities for Defence will be assisted by federal government grants totalling $3.47 million. The Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant programmes help Australian businesses boost manufacturing, harness their expertise and increase jobs. The latest recipients are: QPE Advanced Manufacturing (pictured) will receive $1 million to…
There is no shortage of commitment’s from both sides of politics for Defence to get behind industry as a pillar of national security, and from the government, a new Defence Industry Development Strategy. In this edited extract from a speech delivered to the Illawarra Shoalhaven industry development conference, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy lays out…
The federal government has today released a plan that defines the strategic rationale for a sovereign defence industrial base and aims to maximise support for Australian industry, including SMEs and its critical contribution to national security. The Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) outlines: Focus areas for the defence industrial base Procurement reforms including simplifying contracting…
NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa has called for swift action to boost Australia’s defence industry so it could play a part in a future Indo-Pacific allied military force. Speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Queensland Nioa said decisive action was needed due to a ‘palpable’ escalation of geopolitical tensions. Nioa recently inked an…
The Group CEO of the biggest Australian-owned supplier of military munitions has laid out a detailed plan to mobilise the nation’s defence industrial base, emphasising “it’s time for urgency, optimism and action”. Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra, NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa released a report which calls on the Australian Government to…
The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has again raised hopes the federal government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy now under development will lead to significant investment in Australian manufacturing and its workforce. Speaking at the 2023 Australian Strategic Policy Institute conference, Conroy said the strategy would establish the framework and principles for the direction of…
The federal government will deliver a fully costed and detailed plan next year on how it will build critical guided weapons in Australia, according to Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. Speaking at the Hunter Defence Conference Conroy said the government was working with industry, including Defence’s strategic partners, Lockheed Martin Australia and Raytheon Australia, to…
