Latest News from ADA-Vic

Navantia Australia has been engaged by the Commonwealth of Australia as the Platform Systems Designer for the SEA4000 Phase 6 Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyer Combat Systems upgrade.

This appointment recognises the position, expertise and knowledge of Navantia Australia as the Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyer designer to support the Destroyer Capability Enhancement (DCE) program, incorporating the upgrade to Aegis Baseline 9 under the SEA4000 Phase 6 project.

The Destroyer Capability Enhancement program is a major upgrade to the Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyers and will require significant industrial resources and collaboration from key industry partners, including Navantia Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Saab Australia and BAE Systems Australia, working with Defence.

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Australia Invests in New High-tech Missiles

The Government is investing more than $1.7 billion in some of the most powerful and technologically advanced weapons systems ever fielded by the Australian Defence Force.

Long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons are fundamental to the ADF’s ability to deploy enhanced strike capabilities and hold an adversary at risk at longer ranges.

To build this critical capability, the Government has decided to purchase more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class destroyers, for approximately $1.3 billion.

With a range of 1,500 kilometres, the Tomahawk is a world-class long-range strike capability. Australia will be only one of three nations to have them, along with the United States and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Government has approved the acquisition of more than 60 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER)missiles from the United States for $431 million.

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Australia Accelerates Long-range Precision Strike Capability Acquisition

The Government is accelerating Australia’s long-range precision strike capability and will more than double the number of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers being acquired for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

To implement a key priority of the Defence Strategic Review the Government will invest $1.6 billion to expand and accelerate this acquisition, bringing the total number of HIMARS to 42.

The land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface HIMARS and associated munitions and support systems will ensure the ADF is equipped to deter potential threats and keep Australians safe.

The project is also scoped to procure the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which is expected to have a maximum range beyond 500km.

To support the accelerated acquisition of a long-range strike capability, Defence is developing detailed plans for a Guided Weapons Production Capability (GWPC) to manufacture HIMARS-compatible missiles in Australia from 2025.

From Defence:

Defence has imposed a moratorium on contracting of recently separated Defence personnel by defence industry. The moratorium came into effect 7 August, Chief of Defence Force and Defence Secretary have directed that any Australian Public Service or full- or part-time members of the ADF (SERCAT 6 & 7) who have separated in the past 12 months can only be contracted by industry “by exception”. See more here.
Defence has released a request for information (RFI) and ideas leading to the development of a small, capable, and sovereign drone system to be developed and manufactured in Australia. FRI close 4:30pm AEST 21 August 2023. See more here.
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator is seeking Australian industry and research providers to submit responses to an RFI regarding sovereign un-crewed aerial systems and trusted autonomy capabilities before 4:30pm AEST 21 August. See more here.
The ADF will acquire 84 next-generation Mobile Retransmission Systems from Melbourne-based Luminact in partnership with REDARC Defence & Space. Delivery expected to be completed by 2025. See more here.
Australia and the United States have stepped up their co-operation in the establishment of second source manufacturing capabilities for guided weapons in Australia. See more here.
Attached is the TDA 2023 Calendar.

Other News

Saab Australia has opened its expanded Melbourne office to accommodate the rapid growth of its Victorian workforce and support the successful delivery of major defence and security projects. See more here.
Marand and US-based Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) combine in components for nuclear submarines. Marand will manufacture and service FMD components, gaining FMD’s expertise in the world’s predominant nuclear navy, according to the companies. See more here.
Australian mining equipment manufacturer Elphinstone has successfully bid with Hanwha to be part of the multi-billion Land 400 Phase 3 program to supply infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army. See more here.
In a $5 billion deal, EOS along with local manufacturers armour steel manufacturer Bisalloy and heavy equipment manufacturer Elphinstone are among the biggest local winners in Hanwha’s Australian supply chain of 100 companies. See more here.
SPEE3D has successfully participated in Annual US Marines Corps Integrated Training Exercise 4-23, printing on-demand parts in the field to support critical defence operations. See more here.
Australian small businesses participating in Boeing Australia’s first Capability Up-Lift Program have graduated with seven Boeing contracts, including agreements with three new suppliers. See more here.
Lovitt Technologies was awarded a $1.5 million Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program – Production and Modernisation grant. The grant will help fund next-generation machining centre, training for staff, and upgrades to equipment and software. See more here.
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants are now open and will close at 5:00pm AEST on 14 September 2023. See more here.
Boosting women in STEM Elevate Program applications are now open and will close 5:00pm AEST 31 August 2023. See more here.
Melbourne Airport has bolstered its cyber security with upgrades to DDoS protections and more. See more here.
The UK Department of Business and Trade are hosting a Space Export Academy in December 2023. The program will offer Australian businesses the opportunity to gain insight from space industry experts and government partners on how to export to the UK. To submit an EOI see more here.
Attached is the ADM’s list of Defence tenders.

Defence Industry Support Tools

The Office of Defence Industry Support has several tools to support defence SMEs. The Defence Business Readiness Tool, the Digital Readiness Assessment Tool, and the Cyber Security Assessment Tool.

Upcoming Domestic Events:

Reoccurring 2023 - Soldier On Coffee Catch Up Victoria. See more here.
29 August 2023 - Army Innovation Day. See more here.
29 – 30 August 2023 - Quantum Technology Challenge. See more here.
7 September 2023 - Melbourne Space Workforce and Industry Drinks. See more here.
18 - 20 September 2023 - SIA Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference. See more here.
21 September 2023 – Australian Defence Industry Awards. See more here.
26 – 28 September 2023 - Australian Information Warfare: Beyond the Strategic Review. See more here.
8 November 2023 – Maritime Environment Working Group Conference. See more here.
7 - 9 November 2023 - 2023 Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition. See more here.
27 November 2023 - Defence Artificial Intelligence Symposium. See more here.
4 - 6 December 2023 - Defence Human Sciences Symposium. See more here.

Links to Grants and other Programs:

Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants - CRC-P Round 15

CRC-P Round 15 was opened by The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minster for Industry and Science on 3 August 2023 and will close at 17:00 AEST on 14 September 2023.

The Round is open to all industry sectors however will have a focus on supporting projects in line with Government priorities, including the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas and the Science and Research priorities. Applications that have a focus on the circular economy are also particularly encouraged.

Funding will be available from January 2024.

Read more >

The Victorian Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program will support Victorian defence industry businesses to work with Hanwha Defense Australia (Hanwha) as part of its supply chain. The program will help build businesses’ capabilities so they can help Hanwha deliver the Commonwealth Government’s $1 billion Land 8116 Self-Propelled Howitzer program.

Funding will support eligible Victorian businesses to:

gain relevant accreditations and meet industry specific compliance requirements
prepare tenders
undertake minor facilities upgrades and equipment fit outs
develop new or enhance current defence products or services
undertake defence R&D
participate in trade missions to pursue collaboration and export opportunities.

Businesses must engage with Hanwha and receive its support before applying.

Applications to the Victorian Land Systems Fund Supply Chain Uplift Program are now open and close on 30 June 2024 or when funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first.

Australian Space Industry Capability Database

The Australian Space Industry Capability database will open for industry submissions from mid-July. Companies can upload information on their:

• Location

• Capability

• Workforce

The database has been developed by SIAA and is supported by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the Australian Space Agency, the Office of Defence Industry Support and SmartSat CRC.

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.

For more information or to make CUF bookings, please email amod.joshi@lmco.com

Australia Partner Network

Leidos Australia is focused on working with Australian Industry for delivery of all of our projects. We know the importance of supporting the growth of sovereign capability and would like to work with more Australian businesses at all stages of our delivery lifecycle.

We encourage Australian companies, who are interested in working with us on the opportunities identified above or on other business requirements as they arise, to complete the following registration form.

In your submission, you should highlight your experience with any relevant Defence, Intelligence, ICT and cyber capabilities and technologies. Our team will then be in touch to identify potential next steps.

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.

Click here to learn more about the Online Pitch Training Program and to register your interest.

ODIS provides a range of grants to support defence industry businesses. These grants help Australian small and medium enterprises grow to meet Defence capability needs and join global defence industry supply chains.

Click here to learn more about available grants

The ODIS Defence Business Readiness Tool (DBRT) is a platform used by our Industry Engagement Team to assess the Defence Readiness of Australian Small and Medium Enterprises. The DBRT is the first step in the journey to becoming a supplier to Defence.

To use this secure tool you must have an account. You can either sign in with an existing account or create a new one. You will need to provide your Australian Business Number (ABN) when registering your account.

Get Defence Ready with DBRT 2.0 and unlock the true potential of your SME within the Defence industry!