Leading European defence company MBDA has joined the growing list of defence companies taking up residence in South Australia’s Lot Fourteen innovation district. The company will establish a new Australian office at the Defence and Space Landing Pad, a one-stop-shop that supports the relocation of international companies to South Australia. A world-leader in the field of guided weapons and missile systems, MBDA has a long history of involvement in Australian defence projects, having supported the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) program for the Royal Australian Air Force. MBDA Group Business Development Director Paul Mead said the company’s ...

BAE Systems Australia has unveiled Australia’s first domestically designed, manufactured and armed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Uncrewed Air System (UAS) on the first day of the 2023 Avalon Airshow. STRIX™ is a hybrid, tandem wing, multi-domain and multi-role UAS capability that could be used for a variety of missions including air to ground strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or as a ‘loyal wingman’ for military helicopters. Designed to carry up to a 160 kg payload over 800 km, STRIX will be capable of operating in high-risk environments and be able to be transported via standard shipping, removing reliance on ...

Adelaide-based defence company elmTEK has been selected by the Department of Defence to deliver state-of-the-art ‘Human-In-the-Loop’ simulation technology, under Phase 2 of Joint Project 500 (JP500). Set to  improve outcomes for troops in combat situations, Human-in-the-Loop is a type of simulation that immerses a human operator into a conflict environment and collects data on how they interact and respond to different operational scenarios using Emulated Military Equipment. The scenarios enable equipment to be tested for efficacy, and tactical and countermeasure approaches to be optimised, resulting in better real-life outcomes for our troops. The simulation is capable of creating life-like physical effects ...

South Australian electronic warfare company DEWC Services has been recognised as a top graduate employer as part of the 2023 Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) Top Graduate Employers list. DEWC Services was the only small to medium business in the state and one of only three South Australian-headquartered companies recognised on the list, which is based on first-hand ratings and feedback from graduates who spend at least 12 months with an employer. Developed in late 2020 to boost local talent across the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) and cyber workforce, DEWC’s Graduate Development Program upskills graduates across ...

Kongsberg Defence Australia (KONGSBERG) has signed a contract with Adelaide construction company, Tandem Building Group to build their new purpose-built facility at Technology Park. It follows KONGSBERG’s announcement in October 2022 that it would establish a new home at the Mawson Lakes site to support hardware manufacturing and assembly, along with maintenance and software development to assist in the delivery of defence acquisition programs. General Manager of Kongsberg Defence Australia John Fry said the construction of the company’s new 2500 sqm dedicated facility marks an important milestone for KONGSBERG in Australia. “After the completion of an Early Contractor Involvement phase, ...

South Australia’s defence industry will present a powerful show of innovation and expertise at this year’s Avalon 2023 from 28 February – 5 March 2023. The largest-ever contingent of local defence and space companies will be represented on the South Australia – The Defence State stand at Avalon 2023, showcasing defence capabilities across information warfare, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Joined by the state’s three universities and the Defence Innovation Partnership – the South Australian Government’s catalyst for defence-relevant research – this year’s delegation will demonstrate the innovation and expertise being nurtured locally to build the nation’s sovereign capabilities across the ...

BAE Systems Australia has reinforced their commitment to investing in the next generation of workers by recruiting a record number of graduates across the country, including 50 in South Australia.  The new recruits will be supporting the Hunter class frigate program, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network upgrade and the development of new technologies for the Australian Defence Force. Others across the country will be work across a range of maritime and aerospace sustainment programs and corporate roles. A further 30 apprentices are also set to join the national company later in 2023. Half of these recruits will join the Hunter ...

There’s never been a better time to join South Australia’s defence and space industries, with workers needed now to get started on a lucrative career, spanning decades. Recent research conducted by Defence SA shows that while the defence industry alone in South Australia is expected to need an additional 10,000 people over the next 10 years, not everyone is aware of the career opportunities available in the state. Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price said the highest priority for South Australia is building the workforce needed for large-scale projects, including the nuclear-powered submarines and Hunter Class frigates, as well as ...

Adelaide has become the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to secure hosting rights to leading international maritime, air and space technologies defence event, MAST Australia 2024.   Comprising a number of business gatherings, tradeshows and talent fairs, the three-day event will run from 19-21 November 2024 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. MAST Australia 2024 – which is themed ‘Talent, Technologies, Transfer’ – will explore issues of relevance to the Indo-Pacific region, drawing thousands of senior level government, military representatives and researchers from across the global defence community. A program of high calibre of speakers, technical sessions and exhibitions will ...

South Australia is home to a thriving defence industry, with multi-billion-dollar projects spanning across naval shipbuilding, information warfare and cyber, along with a growing space ecosystem of more than 100 organisations. Recent research conducted by Defence SA shows that while the defence industry alone in South Australia is expected to need an additional 10,000 people over the next 10 years, not everyone is aware of the career opportunities available in the state. Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price said the highest priority for South Australia is building the workforce needed for large-scale projects, including the nuclear submarines and Hunter Class ...

South Australian-based defence manufacturer, XTEK, has secured two Department of Defence grants totalling more than $800,000 that are set to boost production and accelerate product development. The purchase of a new ‘CNC Virtual Machining Centre’ at the company’s Adelaide manufacturing facility will be supported by a $164,268.50 grant from the Defence Global Competitiveness program. The equipment will allow for safer and more complex machining, reducing the cost of outsourcing and improving productivity. This project is set to accelerate new product development and prototyping, with completion expected by 29 October 2023. Meanwhile, a $658,209.20 grant through the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority ...

A new project is seeking to enhance detection and clearance of underwater mines close to shore using autonomous technologies that will improve safety for Navy personnel. The project will design, develop, test and evaluate various teams of micro Autonomous Underwater Vehicle swarms and Autonomous Surface/Subsurface Vessels to provide an autonomous mine clearance capability that operates in the amphibious zone close to shore. The amphibious zone is often extremely difficult to navigate when searching for underwater mines, due to tides, waves and currents, low visibility and a low communications environment. The technology being developed would seek to supplement high-risk activities undertaken ...