Latest Defence News from ADA-Vic

Hi there,

With some magnificent news last week Melbournians are now enjoying some much anticipated freedom! Some face-to-face socialisation is now possible and many more industries have gone back to work.

Let's remember at this time of joy, we still need to have a current COVID safe plan for work and play. Please continue to document the face-to-face connections you have in the course of your days... so that we can all stay out of lock-down for good!

The events of this year have caused everyone to inspect aspects of our life, society and our world, including national security and how best to position Australia amongst increasing world instability. The problems COVID-19 has created, have also created a lot more industry and grant funding opportunities; giving you the opportunity to be a part of the Australian recovery effort and Sovereign Industry Capability.

The Minister for Defence Industry announced changes to grant funding, to make the funding more accessible to all, more here.

There has never been a better time to be a part of the defence industry as our Government invests heavily in our future as a nation. Reach out today, to see how ADA-Vic can enable you to do Better Business in Defence info@australiandefencealliance.org.au

From the Government

2021 Budget Measures and Support for Defence Industry from Morrison Government, more here
Easing of grant funding rules, making funding opportunities more accessible to all, more here
Intelligence & National Security Threat Research Funding Grants = Open, more here
ASBAS - Funding to Get Professional Advice for updating your business, more here
Skilling Australia's Defence Industry (SADI) Grants "Open for Applications", more here
Cyber defence & security innovation (ICERA) Grants for SMEs, more here
Commonwealth launches Moon to Mars - Capability Grants program, more here
Austrade Export and Investment Awards = Open for Nominations, more here
The New Budget - for defence industry here & also holistically for business and employment here
The Navy RAS + AI Strategy 2040 has been released, more here
Mapping Australia's Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Autonomous Systems Capability, survey here
The Defence Industry Minister has released an Op-Ed on supporting defence industry, more here
AIC and ASDEFCON Announcement = Strengthening How Australian Defence Does Business with Australian Industry, Draft Framework here
Defence Exports Office - offers 'Pitching Your Business' course Free of Charge (FOC)

Industry Opportunities

FREE until Feb. 2021 - Secure Common User Facility has been setup in Victoria, more below
Naval Group - New Work Packages (some packages up to $900M), EOI portal here
Leidos calls for Industry participation in SEA 129 Phase 5 project, portal here
Lockheed Martin calls for EOI for their 'Missile and Fire Control', portal here
Northrop Grumman calls for EOI for their 'Space Systems Project', portal here
Hanwha opens the doors to Australian supply chain, more info here, sign-up portal here
ASC P/L calls for industry to be part of submarine sustainment program, portal here
BAE Systems calls for industry participation for their Global Access Program, portal here
AMGC has released a report "ten steps to succeed in Australian Manufacturing", more here

Industry Events

5th Nov. Airbus Defence and Space Industry Forum, more here
10th Nov. ABCC & BAE Systems CEO, discussing Defence and industry, more here
10-13 Nov. MilCIS 2020 is going Virtual, more here
16th Nov. ABCC & Minister for Defence, Strategic Update & Force Structure Plan 2020, more here
26th Nov. Foreign Interference and the Implications for Universities and Industry, more here
30th Nov - 4th Dec. Virtual I/ITSEC 2020, Team Defence Australia EOI open on ICN, more here
1-3 Dec. Virtual TechNet Cyber, Team Defence Australia EOI open on ICN, more here
21-25th Feb. 2021 IDEX - ABU Dhabi, Team Defence Australia EOI open on ICN, more here
CDIC - "Defence Industry Insights" webinar series has been recorded and is available, more here

From Defence:

2021 Budget Measures and Support for Defence Industry from Morrison Government, more here
Intelligence & National Security Threat Research Funding Grants = Open, more here
The Minister for Defence Industry’s Op-Ed on the budget
The Minister for Defence announces updated national security science and technology priorities
Defence announces a new grants program to address national security and intelligence capacity within Australian universities
Minister for Defence Industry addresses the D+I Conference, speech here. She also spoke at the Defence Connect Budget Lunch, see transcript here
International Freight Assistance Mechanism has been extended to mid-2021. Freight costs to Europe remain eight times what they were in mid-2019
AIC reform. Further proposed changes to the AIC contractual framework will be released in the next few weeks
Cyber Protection Protocols: While Defence does not wish to unnecessarily create barriers to entry, the cyber threat is such that additional protocols are necessary to establish and will be in due course

Other News:

The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources is conducting a survey to map Australia’s Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems Capability. The online survey can be found here.
Aquaterro and Australian Defence Apparel are two of six Victorian companies making facemasks under a Victorian Government contract.
A W Bell receives a Defence Global Competitiveness Grant to enhance its cyber readiness to enter the US market.
Australia signs NASA’s Artemis Accords. More information can be found here. Information on the Artemis Accords can be found here and on YouTube.
Universal Motions Simulators and the LAND 400 Phase 2 Project Team have taken out two Essington Lewis awards for the Reconfigurable Universal Motion Simulator. They won the Minor Acquisition under $50 million and the SME Team of the Year categories.
RUAG awarded patent for its supersonic particle deposition technology.
Textron’s Jack Kormas provides a Defence Connect Op-Ed.
Nioa commences upgrading its facilities at Benalla.
Victorian companies Ascent Vision Technologies Australia, Sentient Vision Systems, Pelican-Trimcast and EVTA Group are part of Insitu Pacific’s team for LAND 129 Phase 3.
Veterans’ Employment Awards nominations are now open

Secure Common User Facility for Victoria

Located in the Melbourne CBD, the Victorian Common User Facility (VCUF) allows appropriately-cleared personnel to access Defence secure networks, and provides secure offices and work areas for undertaking limited-duration activities such as meetings, bid preparation, and small-scale experiments.

The VCUF is an initiative to facilitate enhanced engagement by Victorian businesses and the innovation community with Defence and National Security programs. This unique facility is the first of its type in Australia.

The facility has reached Initial Operating Capability, and is now available for use by Victorian businesses.

Normally, access to the facilities is on an annual subscription basis, however due to the current COVID-19 restrictions the facility is being made available free of charge until February 2021, as a measure to assist Victorian industry recover during these challenging times.

This is an outstanding offer that stands to significantly add value and capabilities to SME needing access to secure collaboration facilities.

For enquiries regarding use of the facility, please contact us info@australiandefencealliance.org.au

In the first of many local packages to be offered throughout the life of the 50-year program, these specialised pieces of equipment include the steering gear system, weapons handling system and main shaft line, and will support hundreds of Australian jobs.

Naval Group has officially launched its first ‘Local Manufacturing Package’ expression of interest (EOI) to Australian industry – part of a package expected to be worth almost $900 million, with the company also opening its office at Port Adelaide.

EOI portal here

The Victorian Government is pleased to present the second Airbus Defence and Space Industry Forum. Following from the first forum in March this year, this briefing will provide further updates including more information and detail around JP9102 - Australian Defence Satcom System (ASDSS). The Commonwealth’s Request for Tender (RFT) is due to be released later this year, with responses due in April 2021.

Airbus is seeking to identify suitable Australian partnerships for its Australian projects as well as for its wider Airbus global supply chain. You will be introduced to key Airbus representatives and given a high-level overview of the project and industrial capability areas in which Airbus is seeking expressions of interest. These include manufacturing, electronics/electrical engineering, software development, payload development, infrastructure and services. The event will consist of half an hour of presentations plus Q&A.

Current projects of interest include:

JP9102 - Australian Defence Satcom System;
Def 799 - Enhanced Satellite ISR Capability;
FMSC - Future Maritime Surveillance Capability;
Zephyr - High Altitude Pseudo Satellite;
EMAC - Enhanced Maritime Awareness Capability NZ.

more information and Registration Here

Please note that, due to COVID-19, the physical conference has been cancelled for 2020. However, a virtual exhibition and conference will still be held over the same dates.

Visitor Registration. MilCIS Visitors must register for online access to have complimentary access to the MilCIS Plenary and Expo presentations that run throughout the conference. Presentations can be accessed “live” or can be time-shifted to be watched when convenient. MilCIS Visitors also have access to the virtual exhibition. Register here

Full Conference Registration. MilCIS Conference delegates pay the relevant conference registration fee and have full online access to all conference presentations (five parallel streams including the Plenary and Expo presentations). Presentations can be accessed “live” or can be time-shifted to be watched when convenient. MilCIS Conference delegates also have access to the virtual exhibition. Register here

RMIT University's Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre (SLWC) is delighted to invite you to hear Mr. Jerome Mullan (Director of Operations, Protegas Australia and former Major in the Australian Army Intelligence) speak about the issues of foreign interference and the implications for universities and industry.

The webinar will explore the threat facing Australia as changes in technology enable malign actors to target universities and industry, their IP, staff and infrastructure.

more information and Registration Here

Contact: jovanka.zimpel@rmit.edu.au