ADA-Vic would like to wish all our members a happy and successful 2023. We are looking forward to supporting you all in, what
is shaping up to be, a year filled with opportunities in the defence and space industries. We hope to see you in our upcoming networking events and to catch up with you at Avalon 2023.
Opportunities for SMEs in the defence industry will continue to grow and we are here to help and advocate for our members.
We would also like to hear from you if you have any news or stories about your business that may be of interest to other businesses and organisations.
Defence Signs Contract with Kongsberg to Deliver the Naval Strike Missile
The Federal Government is boosting Australia’s ability to deter potential threats to national security by substantially increasing the Australian Defence Force’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance stocks.
Defence has signed a contract with Kongsberg to deliver the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which will be employed on the Hobart Class destroyers and Anzac Class frigates, replacing the ageing Harpoon anti-ship missile on those ships from 2024.
The NSM contains leading-edge technology that will provide Royal Australian Navy ships with a powerful maritime strike capability.
Kongsberg Defence Australia has committed to working with Australian industry on the project, creating local jobs and building Australia’s industrial capability.
Defence will also acquire the land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which includes launchers, missiles and training rockets.
The HIMARS system will be in use by 2026-27, providing the Australian Army with a significant capability boost.
HIMARS munitions currently have a range of up to 300 kilometres, which is expected to increase with technological advances.
HIMARS includes a weapon locating radar to detect and respond to land, air and maritime threats, which is being delivered by Australian company CEA.
The combined total investment in these new acquisitions is more than $1.0 billion.
We look forward to seeing our members there. If you haven't already done so you can register to attend the dedicated industry sessions of the Aerospace and Defence Exposition (Tuesday 28 February - Thursday 2 March).
A Reminder to Have Your Say in the Design & Implementation of the National Reconstruction Fund
In the 2022-23 October budget the government committed $15 billion to establish the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF).
The NRF will provide finance to projects in these priority areas to leverage Australia’s natural and competitive strengths:
medical science
transport
value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
value-add in resources
defence capability
enabling capabilities
The NRF will provide a range of finance options including:
loans
equity investment
guarantees
The NRF will be an independent financier that operates commercially to deliver a positive rate of return. It will be governed by a board who will make independent investment decisions guided by an investment mandate.
Consultation is now open on the design and implementation of the NRF and the government is keen to hear from:
industry
unions
communities
state and territory governments.
Read
the consultation paper You can now register for a virtual session as part of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) consultation. These sessions give you an opportunity to learn more about the NRF and to provide feedback on the consultation paper
ICN Victoria Annual Report for 2021-2022 Now Available
This report provides comprehensive information that affects ICN Vic's diverse stakeholders, including industry and government, our staff and community partners.
A review of past financial year shows growth and success of work opportunities and policy implementation during what has been a challenging post-pandemic year. Also featured are inspiring case studies and industry highlights
Defence have committed to acquire the land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) which includes launchers, missiles and training rockets. The HIMARS system is intended to be in use by 2026/27 and the capability includes a weapon locating radar to detect and respond to land, air and maritime threats, which is being delivered by Australian company CEA. See more here.
Defence has signed a contract with Kongsberg to deliver the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which will be employed on the Hobart Class destroyers and Anzac Class frigates, replacing the ageing Harpoon anti-ship missile on those ships from 2024. See more here.
A $32 million revamp of testing and fabrication facilities has strengthened Defence’s engineering capability and reinvigorated its ability to collaborate with industry and academia, including partner institutions RMIT University and QinetiQ. See more here.
Beretta Australia has been awarded a contract by NIOA to supply the Benelli M3A1 Combat Shotgun as part of a series of new weapons systems selected in the first tranche of the Lethality System Project (LAND 159 Tranche 1). See more here.
Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA) has announced it has accepted the resignation of managing director, Major General (ret’d) Paul McLachlan AO CSC. The decision comes months after the company announced a restructure. See more here.
NOIA has unveiled two new appointments to support operations at the Benalla Commonwealth government-owned, contractor-operated munitions production plant. See more here.
Engineers at RMIT have used sound waves to boost production of green hydrogen by 14 times. The invention offers to tap into a plentiful supply of cheap hydrogen fuel for transportation and aircraft, which could radically reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change. See more here.
Additive Assurance raises $1.6M and has announced a partnership with Defence. The Victorian-based company has announced the recent sale of a pre-production system to the Defence Science and Technology Group, Australian Department of Defence. See more here.
Beretta Australia whose headquarters are based in Melbourne, has been awarded a contract by NIOA to supply the Benelli M3A1 Combat Shotgun as part of a series of new weapons systems selected in the first tranche of the Lethality System Project (LAND 159 Tranche 1). See more here.
In a first for Australia, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has confirmed that the ROKAF Black Eagles Aerobatic Team, one of the world’s most highly regarded military jet display teams, will perform at the Australian International Airshow (AVALON 2023). See more here.
QinetiQ has announced completion of the acquisition of Air Affairs Australia. This follows the announcement on 4 October 2022 of an agreement to acquire Air Affairs Australia. See more here.
Victorian based-Titomic has entered into a reseller agreement with ADS, a tier-1 military supplier of tactical equipment, procurement, logistics, government contract management, and supply chain solutions in the US. See more here.
In partnership with the Victorian State Government, Lockheed Martin Australia manages a secure facility designed to enable Victoria’s innovation community to better engage with classified Defence and National Security programs. The first facility of its type in Australia, the Victorian Common User Facility is a key initiative in creating new business opportunities for Victoria’s innovation sector.
Australian Defence Export Office Pitch Training Program
The ADEO, in partnership with Marketing Entourage, have created a five week online pitch training program specifically for businesses looking to export defence and dual use goods and services. This training is fully subsidised for Australian Defence Industry businesses.
The program is specifically designed to improve the chances of success for Australian defence industry companies when engaging with opportunities to pitch their capabilities to foreign military and military suppliers. The training is delivered through a series of webinars, online modules and one-to-one pitch practice sessions.
Australian Defence Industry businesses are encouraged to apply by registering their interest at the link below. Multiple people from the same business can be included as a single application. Limited spaces are available on each cohort and the ADEO will prioritise businesses who have recently participated in an industry delegation with TDA.
