Lockheed Martin Australia and Thales Australia have signed a Teaming Agreement which could lead to the development and production of Solid Rocket Motors (SRM) for the Australian market. The purpose of the agreement is to collaborate, qualify and produce Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Solid Rocket Motors and other components in support of the…
The Department of Defence has launched a Defence Digital Engineering Strategy to transform how it works with businesses and speed up capability acquisition and address operational gaps. The strategy is a key outcome of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and 2024 National Defence Strategy, which identified the need for Defence to accelerate digital technologies. According…
The federal government has entered into a $5.1 million Federation Funding Agreement with South Australia and Western Australia to deliver a new programme to give students defence industry experience. The governments will deliver the Schools Pathways Program (SPP), part of the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy. The SPP will help to promote Science, Technology,…
Australia has clear defence industry priorities including developing a local drone manufacturing sector. Here Dr Peter Layton examines Defence’s recent drone purchases, and asks why then, do we buy overseas made drones and not the best value or most advanced ones at that? In late February the Minister for Defence Industry launched the Defence Industry…
Program guidelines have been released for Defence Industry Development Grants, with applications to open on Tuesday for the new program which is planned to award $150 million in grants over four years to SMEs DIDG covers four streams – “development of sovereign industrial priorities, export opportunities, technical skills and security controls which are relevant in the…
Defence industry minister Pat Conroy has openly called the government’s move from innovation policies of the previous government to one of picking winners. Answering questions after a speech top the ASPI defence conference, Conroy said moves to link innovation grants more directly to purchasing decisions by Defence was picking winnners. Conroy said: “We have to…
Defence’s technology solutions development programme, the Defence Trailblazer has launched a new $12 million grant scheme to accelerate the development of defence industry capabilities. Defence Trailblazer’s new Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) grant programme will fast-track the translation of defence R&D into industry capabilities. Executive Director Dr Sanjay Mazumdar said: “The Defence Industry Development Strategy…
Today in our editorial series – Towards 3% R&D – Turbocharging Australia’s Innovation Effort – Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy explains how the government has built new structures to link defence innovation with commercial outcomes, building the defence industrial base in the process. A strong and sovereign innovation, science and technology sector is critical to…
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…
