With a record presence of 67 companies on board, the South Australia the Defence State stand was once again a hive of activity across Land Forces, held in Melbourne from 11-13 September 2024. Overall, the event proved a huge success for organisers with 15 percent higher attendance on the previous record set in 2022. “Not only has this been the biggest and the best Land Forces yet, it is also the largest defence exposition ever held in Australia,” said Justin Giddings, CEO of Land Forces 2024 organiser AMDA Foundation. “We've had record numbers of delegates and an impressive 995 exhibiting ...

South Australian ruggedised hardware and control system provider APC Technology has celebrated a significant milestone of 40 years of operation. Since its inception, APC Technology has been at the forefront of delivering world-class solutions across industries including defence, industrial automation, aerospace, and more. The journey first began in 1982 when Peter Hodson founded the company, focusing on providing reliable automation solutions. In 1984, the company was officially incorporated as Automation and Process Control Services. Reflecting on the company’s origins, Peter said, “When I started APC Technology, the focus was on providing reliable automation solutions. We could never have imagined the ...

A collaboration between the Australian Space Agency and the Australian Department of Defence Space Command saw the 1 Space Surveillance Unit Commercial Data Mission Centre (1SSU CDMC) first land at Adelaide’s world-class innovation district, Lot Fourteen, in 2023. As a component of Australia’s first defence Joint Space Unit, 1SSU CDMC brings together members of the Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy, into an integrated team. In line with 1SSU CDMC’s growing capabilities, the unit has now expanded its footprint at Lot Fourteen. Matt Opie, Chief Executive of the South Australian Space Industry Centre reinforced the value ...

Five South Australian companies will undertake a program to help them enter the global supply chain for nuclear-powered submarines. The $1 million Supplier Capability Uplift Program is part of an agreement between the South Australian Government and US shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) through its Australian entity, HII Nuclear Australia Pty Ltd (HII-NA). The participating companies are McKechnie Iron Foundry, Century Engineering, Levett Engineering, H-E Parts International and MacTaggart Scott Australia. CEO of McKechnie Iron Foundry Andrew Nixon said, “As a South Australian owned company, this is a great opportunity for us and I’m confident in the skills and knowledge ...

BAE Systems Australia has secured a $270 million contract to boost the production of critical guided weapons components at the company’s Edinburgh Parks facility in South Australia. The contract will spur local manufacturing of components and assemblies for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2. It is expected to create more than 24 high-tech jobs, including four apprenticeships, adding to the company’s more than 220-strong workforce in Adelaide’s north. The ESSM Block 2 is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. The capability is integrated into the Royal Australian Navy Anzac class frigates and ...

Rapidly translating disruptive new technologies into Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability is essential for preparing our nation for future challenges. We’re regularly reminded by events across the globe that enemies can interfere with the affairs of another country without ever physically crossing their border. Cyber-attacks on infrastructure can cripple daily activities and information warfare has influenced decisions. What’s more, with the Defence environment increasingly benefiting from technological advances, it’s critical our understanding of how humans interact with those technologies evolves accordingly. The Defence Strategic Review recognises that to keep pace with these advances, a whole-of-nation approach is needed to ensure ...

Building on the success of the initial agreement established in 2019, Babcock Australasia (Babcock) will expand the supply of counter-chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (C-CBRNE) asset management and solutions to the Australian Defence Force. Since securing the contract, Babcock has grown the scope and output of the program by more than 400 per cent, addressing critical Defence capability and technology shortfalls through the supply of new C-CBRNE tools. Babcock’s C-CBRNE program delivers 132 different types of equipment in support of a tri-service capability including explosive ordnance disposal suits, remote operating vehicles and various chemical detection systems. The strong performance ...

South Australian company Axiom Precision Manufacturing has secured a multi-year contract with Boeing to deliver doors for the AH-64E Apache attack reconnaissance helicopters. The Defence export contract was awarded through Boeing’s participation in Australia’s Global Supply Chain Program and will see Axiom manufacture components and assemble doors for the global Apache fleet. The manufacturing opportunity is set to create new jobs and boost apprenticeships, according to Axiom General Manager Craig Maynard, who predicts the company’s workforce will grow by 15 per cent. “This contract is an amazing opportunity for us to showcase our precision manufacturing and assembly capabilities,” Maynard said. ...

South Australian company REDARC Defence & Space has unveiled a new Mission-Capable INEOS Grenadier that showcases its innovative power solutions and capabilities in a realistic, challenging environment. Underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and supporting the Australian defence industry, the 2023 INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster Edition has undergone a comprehensive customisation process by REDARC to demonstrate its ability to deliver solutions suitable for remote, harsh environments. To equip the Grenadier for demanding missions in remote locations, a suite of power, communications, and recovery gear has been integrated into the platform, requiring collaboration with a range of partners providing high-quality, reliable products ...

South Australian-based company QuantX Labs has been awarded two contracts with the Department of Defence for its cutting-edge atomic clock technology. Based at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen innovation precinct, QuantX specialises in developing precision timing and sensing technologies. With initial research and development undertaken at the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) at The University of Adelaide, the company has translated years of research and development into the state-of-the-art portable optical atomic clocks. Under the contracts, the company will deliver a mobile precision timing test bed for Defence Systems to DSTG Edinburgh. This test bed is due for delivery in ...

Leading South Australian spaceport provider Southern Launch and Queensland aerospace company Hypersonix Launch Systems have teamed up to develop ground-breaking hypersonic flight testing capabilities in South Australia. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on developing a hypersonic test bed service from Southern Launch’s spaceports at Koonibba Test Range or Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. Hypersonix is an aerospace engineering, design and manufacturing company, specialising in hypersonic vehicle technology and scramjet engine. The strategic agreement paves the way for Hypersonix to launch and return its test bed vehicles, with plans for the first mission in ...

A record 67 exhibitors have joined the South Australian contingent at this year’s biennial land defence expo, Land Forces International Defence Exposition. The event, is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11 to 13 September 2024. Defence SA Chief Executive Matt Opie said the South Australian contingent is larger than the previous event high of 58 at the 2022 event. “There has been a sharp uptick in South Australian exhibitors over the past 14 years, with just 12 exhibitors attending the 2010 event,” said Mr Opie. “This increase demonstrates the growth, demand, and increased investment by ...