ADA Vic would like to congratulate 6 businesses, including two of our own members, awarded more than $3.2 million in grants.
The Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant programs provide 50 per cent matching grants to assist Australian small and medium enterprises build capabilities for defence industry and overcome barriers to export.
The six recipients awarded include:
Lightforce (SA) receiving $1 million to commission new capabilities for manufacturing through-life support for precision riflescopes, night vision and other optic or electro-optic products.
Integra Systems (VIC) receiving $1 million to install panel bending and fibre optic laser cutters for a range of capability programs.
XTEK Limited (ACT) receiving $747,707 to acquire and commission a custom press and a new virtual machining centre, enhancing lightweight helmets and body armour and improving helmet production capacity and export market opportunities.
Direct Edge Manufacturing (TAS) receiving $342,470 to purchase specialised cutting equipment which will support the upgrade of land combat and protected mobility vehicle components.
Stahl Metall (VIC) receiving $74,900 to install wire braiding and testing units to increase in-house manufacturing capability relevant to the international defence aerospace sector.
Fire System Services (SA) receiving $62,212 to install new equipment, enhancing its testing and certified maintenance of pressure vessels for a range of capability.
Nominations for ADM Women in Defence Awards 2023 Open
The 2023 Women in Defence Awards will celebrate talented, determined, successful women who make a positive impact in the defence business arena, as members of Defence industry, Australian Public Service (APS) or in uniform. The Awards will be presented at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum Canberra at 6:30pm on 25th October 2023.
The program will recognise women in the following categories:
Communications
Engineering
Executive Management
Indigenous
Legal / Contracting
Operations
People & Culture
Project Management
Technical Trade
Research & Development
Rising Star Award (under the age of 30)
Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
Online entries will close at 4pm on Thursday 1 June 2023. Winners will be judged by a panel of industry identities.
These awards recognise the ongoing achievements of the manufacturing sector and celebrate the accomplishments and innovations of local companies, people, materials and production skills.
Nominations are now open for 2023 and categories include:
Most Innovative Manufacturing Company
Excellence in Manufacturing Skills Development
Outstanding Start-Up
Technology Application Award
Excellence in Growth
Environmental Solution of the Year
Safety Solution of the Year
Leader of the Year
Project of the Year.
The Manufacturer of the Year Award is given to a winner from the above Awards categories and is not open for nomination.
To apply, all products and/or technologies must be manufactured and/or commercially available in Australia and companies and sites nominated must operate within Australia.
Nominations close 6 October 2023 and the Awards Night will be held on the 30th November 2023 in Melbourne.
Second Round of Australia's Economic Accelerator Seed Grants Open
This program provides funding to projects that are seeking to test research relevance against commercial outcomes.
What do you get? Funding of between $50,000 and $500,000 per project.
Who is this for? Australian universities, research organisation, industry and business.
Overview Priority consideration will be given to projects supporting research commercialisation activities that align with the national interest and address 4 priority areas, including:
Australian Defence Sales Catalogue Edition 7 Released
The seventh edition of the Australian Defence Sales Catalogue has been released showcasing a record number of Australian businesses’ products, services, and technologies now available for export.
The latest edition lists over 250 Australian world class, innovative, export-ready products and services, a record for Australia. It is a key tool to promote Australian defence industry to governments around the world.
Along with a list of Australian businesses, the Catalogue includes surplus Australian Defence Force equipment and platforms shortly coming out of service, available for sale to other national governments.
The mobile application version provides an intuitive interface and opportunities for interested parties to engage directly with listed companies.
Companies featured in the app gain valuable exposure and access to a range of government support.
All exports of controlled goods and technology are subject to an independent and rigorous assessment process in accordance with Australia’s defence export control legislation.
Public Submissions are Being Sought Regarding Reforming Defence Legislation
Defence legislation provides legal authority for activities critical to the military defence of Australia. However, this legislation requires modernisation to meet the needs of the current and future strategic environment.
Defence is developing policy options to modernise the Defence Act 1903 and related legislation to enable Defence to be more agile, operationally effective and responsive.
The Australian Government is committed to reforming Defence legislation to ensure Defence is able to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing strategic environment and the realities of modern competition and armed conflict.
The Commonwealth has announced the plan for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS Agreement. We sent out an in-depth update last week discussing this AUKUS announcement and its
implications for Victoria. See the Commonwealth’s guidance on the Optimal Pathway here.
The Commonwealth has signed a Letter of Cooperation with the German Government initiating negotiations to export over 100 Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles for use with the German Army. See more here.
Other News:
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources has opened applications for the International Space Investment India Projects grants. The grants seek to connect Australian organisations with the Indian space sector. See more here.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles officially opened AIM Defence’s directed-energy test range in Melbourne. This test range is currently the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. See more here.
Hanwha Defense Australia signs training contract for Land 8116 with MMC Learning and Development for Computer Based Training. See more here.
Victoria-based Australian Defence Apparel announces partnership with Nova Systems to meet future Defence uniform requirements. 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.
