Latest Defence News from ADA-Vic

Hi there,

Cyber security is atop the list of priorities for the Government and Defence's this year.

There are so many problems associated with the lack of cyber hygiene, Minister Price has launched the "Working Securely with Defence guide" alongside Australian Industry Group national president Chris Jenkins this week (see here).

It is one step along the path of helping Defence focussed Australian businesses understand Defence and win more Defence work; A 'go to' guide for small businesses on how to improve their security practices to help them win Defence work.

...which aligns very well with our next event on Wednesday 3rd March (see below for more details).

In response to one recent Defence project only 2% of all potential suppliers who submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) were eligible to win the project... the rest (98%) did NOT meet the required cyber security or DISP requirements.

Please see below for further information about our upcoming events including the event with CDIC which was postponed, and has now been rescheduled for the 9th of March.

Please get in touch today via info@australiandefencealliance.org.au to keep us in the loop of challenges you face so that we can continue to enable you to do Better Business in Defence.

About the Event

We have planned to have the 3 session day full of Defence Briefings and Networking opportunities on the 26th of March.

Defence Networking Events are critical to your progress in the Defence Industry.

This event brings people together from all around Australia for a fantastic day of networking set amongst an amazing backdrop for a morning briefing with lunch, a golf competition and then a dinner networking session as well.

You can book in for the full day or join for a half day... but it is an event not to be missed!

Speakers have not been locked in concrete yet, however we are in discussions with some very senior stakeholders in Government, Defence and Industry Primes who will provide updates for the year ahead.

We understand that Golf is not everyone's "cup of tea", however the focus is not on golf - but on the networking that happens in the other 6 hours and also the 2.5 hours on the golf course.

The golf competition is an Ambrose competition, which is played in such a way that all skill levels are catered for and everyone has fun (even if you really can't hit a golf ball!).

Venue:
Medway Golf Club, 57 Omar Street, Maidstone VIC 3012

Date:
Friday 26th March 2021

From the Minister for Defence Industry

Minister Price pledges in a new video (here) for the Government to "Back Our Skilled Workforce, Cut Red Tape and Build Closer Ties - Between Defence and Industry to Expand Australia's Export and International Opportunities, Supporting more Australian Companies to Deliver World Class Capability". The Commonwealth Government’s agenda for defence industry in 2021 is fleshed out more here
New Working Securely with Defence guide - launched to help Industry win contracts, more here
Defence has released a report, A Method for Ethical AI in Defence. See more here
Last call for feedback on the revised ASDEFCON suite of contracts (3 days to go). See the review documents here and survey here. Ends on the 28th of February
Defence has released the Test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Implementation Plan. See more here
Minister Price set three priorities for this year:

Supporting workforce development
Continuing reforms of Defence’s procurement and contracting processes commenced last year
Supporting efforts to increase defence exports

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability has completed its transfer from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to the Department of Defence. The CDIC will sit in CASG

Team Defence Australia is targeting attendance at tradeshows in the second half of 2021. It is uncertain whether tradeshows will go ahead in-person ie. DSEI UK (September).

Funding and Announcements

$1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Funding Opportunity, more here. Also see the Government's Modern Manufacturing Strategy which the MMI funding aligns with here
The Commonwealth Government has launched the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund to support the delivery of new pathways in the sector, more here
February’s edition of Defence Technology Review. See more here
Applications are now open for the 2021 Defence and Industry Study Course (DISC). DISC is a Department of Defence program managed by the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). The course information and online application form can be found here. Applications are open now and close at 1700 hours (5pm) Friday 26 February 2021.
Business Events Grant Program = Assistance to attend industry events, more here
The Minister for Defence Industry releases the Terms of Reference for the review of the ASDEFCON suite of contracts.. See more here and here
Defence has released the Advanced Signals Processing and the Surveillance and Intelligence Sovereign Industry Capability Implementation and Industry Plans, more here
The Minister for Defence has released the Defence Transformation Strategy. See more here
Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program - Sustainment Grants open! See more here
New cyber security campaign launched by the Minister for Defence and Minister for Home Affairs, see more here and here
The Govt. has launched an Inquiry into Developing Australia’s Space Industry. If you would like to contribute thoughts and ideas please see more here
Defence releases SIC Priority Implementation Plan for Aerospace Deeper Maintenance & Structural Integrity, more here & here
Victorian Govt. 'Small Business Digital Adaptation Program', update your business, more here
ASIO releases a new awareness campaign, 'Think Before You Link' (TBYL), more here
CDIC Grants Re-Open... 3 x Capability Improvement & Competitiveness Grants, more here
The Commonwealth Government is encouraging space related businesses to apply for the second round of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund grants. See more here
Government promotes Moon to Mars with more Grants, more here & here
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
The New Budget - for defence industry here & also holistically for business and employment here

Industry Work Package Opportunities

Airbus calls for Industry Capability to support their Space Programs, more here
Hunter Class Frigate Program’s Innovation Program - Second Innovation Challenge, more here
Defence is seeking submission to develop an innovative ‘space qualified’ RF sensor payload. See more here and here
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
Northrop Grumman calls for EOI for their 'Space Systems Project', portal here
Hanwha opens the doors to Australian supply chain, more 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

Other News

The RAAF re-establishes 100 Squadron as the Air Force Heritage Squadron with its headquarters at Point Cook. See more here
Qinetiq, RMIT, Advanced Composite Structures Australia are participants in a program of research run jointly by Australia and the UK. See more here
The Commonwealth Government announces a facilities upgrade at the School of Armour located in Puckapunyal, more here and here
From the Defence Science Institute:
The Office of National Intelligence has announced a National Intelligence Postdoctoral Grant program, more here
The Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF) is calling for proposals from industry and academic partners by 11 March 2021 to establish an Advanced Radio Frequency Payload Research Network (ARFP-RN), more here
The DSI is launching a Hazardous Agent Challenge, more here
There is a large list of opportunities on the DSI website, more here
The Australian Space Agency has released an economic snapshot of the Australian space sector, more here
The Land 400 Phase 3 vehicles to undergo blast tests, more here
Entries are open for the 2021 Essington Lewis Awards, more here
Entries are open for the 2021 Women in Defence Awards, more here
The 11th Australian Space Forum will be held in Adelaide on 31 March 2021, more here
Kinexus has published an article on the state of the defence industry employment market, more here
DefendTex has achieve a significant milestone on its Responsive Access to Space CRC Project
Australia and the UK have signed the Space Bridge agreement to foster trade, investment and research sharing in the space sector, more here
Austrade Update: New Minister appointed for Trade, Tourism and Investment, more here

Space Agency News, can be found here & here
Latest CDIC news can be found here
Victoria signs an MOU with Hanwha. See more here and here
Hanwha launches the Redback IFV in Australia. See more here
The Land Forces Innovation Awards are now open for entries. See more here
Brendan O’Connor is the new shadow minister for defence. See more here
1 MILLIKELVIN a subsidiary of LRM technologies develops new imaging technology with support from the Department of Defence. See more here
Australian Defence Apparel has launched a virtual tour. See more here and here
Marand Precision Engineering teams with Rheinmetall on Land 400 Phase 3. See more here
Applications are open for DSI Research Higher Degree Student Grants. See more here
Victorian companies Amiga Engineering and Australian Performance Vehicles are among eight recipients of Sovereign Industrial Capability Grants. See more here
Victorian companies DefendTex, Sypaq Systems and RMIT receive Defence Innovation Hub Grants. See more here
Contract awarded for the Puckapunyal Health and Wellbeing Centre. See more here
VDIA Op-Ed in Defence Connect. See more here
State and Territory Governments working closely with the Naval Shipbuilding College, more here
Kinexus has provided an overview of the 2020 defence industry workforce market, more here

The current COVID-19 situation highlights the need for Australia’s health security to be underpinned by a nationally coordinated approach to sovereign preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery (PPRR).

Opportunity to Contribute

All organisations that play a role in research, product development, manufacture, or distribution of technologies and products of relevance to the six critical sectors identified below are strongly encouraged to complete to the NHSRA.

The NHSRA will extend beyond previous audits of Australia’s medical countermeasures capability to include end-to-end research, development, manufacturing and distribution in six critical sectors including:

Medical Countermeasures
Medical Devices
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Modelling and Simulation
Hazard Management
Sensing Systems

NHSRA OPENS 30th November 2020
NHSRA CLOSES 31st May 2021
TIME COMMITMENT 15 – 60 minutes (depending on the sector(s) in which your organisation is involved) SCOPE National

For more information please contact DMTC
Phone:   +61 3 9214 4447
Email:  NHSRAadmin@dmtc.com.au
Web:  https://dmtc.com.au/our-activities/nhsra/

This will involve completion of relevant surveys which inquire about their organisational activities and capabilities. By contributing, organisations may have an opportunity to participate in detailed consultations that follow the first phase of data collection. All contributions to the NHSRA are critical to providing a truly national picture of Australia’s capability and capacity in the health security ecosystem.

With a strong focus on supply chain resilience and in-country manufacturing capacity, the NHSRA 2020 will assess the strengths and vulnerabilities of Australia’s PPRR ecosystem. The NHSRA, led by DMTC, is supported by the Defence Science and Technology Group through its Next Generation Technologies Fund. Multiple government agency stakeholders were consulted in the development of the NHSRA and will derive strategic insight and direction from the results including:

Department of Defence
Department of Health
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Industry, Science, Energy, and Resources
Department of Home Affairs
Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

UK DEFENCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES

UK DASA is running some competitions!

Companies with an interest in applying can contact defence@austrade.gov.au

for further information and support.

Logistics = Right on Time

On behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), UK DASA is seeking to engage with industry and academia to identify, develop, and demonstrate to the military logistics community, innovations that have the potential to deliver a step change in military logistics capability across the Maritime, Land and Air domains.

The focus of this competition is on innovative autonomy and automation (including automation for additive manufacturing) for future Deployed Military Logistics Hubs. The primary aim is to inform future military user requirements pan-domain (Maritime, Land and Air), at this time, procurement of successful solutions or further development funding cannot be guaranteed. A total of £800k is available for this competition to fund multiple proposals, with projects showcasing their innovation at a demonstration event to be held in the UK during September 2021.

DASA are interested in technologies which can be progressed towards Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6 within the time scale of this contract.

DASA encourages collaboration between organisations for this competition. To support this DASA have a short survey to collect details of those who wish to explore collaboration possibilities. If you are interested in a collaboration, please complete the survey and your details will be circulated among other potential suppliers who have completed the survey and are interested in collaborating.

Deadline for applications: midday GMT on Thursday 25th March 2021. For further information and to apply – visit this link.

Wireless Communications, Networking and Information

This competition is seeking proposals for innovative technologies to deliver information exchange capabilities that are resilient in a highly dynamic operating environment where there are significant challenges from congestion and contention (e.g. jamming). The following areas are of interest:

· novel communication techniques

· novel coding and modulation

· novel networking techniques

DASA are seeking proposals for novel capability in the fields of wireless communications, networking and information theory. Proposals can be based on novel ideas within existing communications standards and defence networks, or for completely new approaches to transmitting information. Proposals can target any of the domains of defence (including Air, Land and Maritime) communications capability; however, proposals should be focussed on deployed scenarios, rather than fixed communications infrastructure, such as data centres.

This competition seeks innovations to demonstrate information exchange capabilities that are resilient to the challenges of the deployed military environment - often referred to as a congested and contested environment. DASA are interested in innovations that will reach Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of between 3 and 6, at the end of the Phase 1 competition. £500k is available for this Phase 1 DASA competition. There is no upper limit per proposal for this competition, but DASA are expecting to fund around 5 to 10 proposals to complete before the end of February 2022.

Deadline for applications: midday BST on Wednesday 7 April 2021. For further information and to apply – visit this link.

Companies with an interest in applying can also contact defence@austrade.gov.au
for further information and support.

The Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program - Sustainment Grants

This grant program provides Australian businesses with funding to develop new or improved capabilities to win work in the sustainment phase of the Joint Strike Fighter Program.

The grant opportunity is to support Assigned-Product Support Providers (A-PSPs) to develop and implement their approved Depot Maintenance Activation Plan (DMAP). Through their plan they'll become a Qualified F-35 Component Depot Source of Repair (DSOR) for maintenance and repair activities for existing components used in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Grants from $50,000 up to $250,000 are available to fund up to 50% of eligible project expenditure for phase 1 and 2. Phase 3 and 4 funding will be determined by the Department of Defence in accordance with the amount outlined in applicants supporting business cases.

The program details are available on the BGA website, including program guidelines with button below.

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.

Army Robotics Exposition 2021 (ARX 2021)ARX 2021 will be held at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre on 20 April 2021 in conjunction with the Chief of Army Symposium 2021, which begins the day prior.

The ARX 2021 program will include: verbal presentations from the main stage, static displays and physical demonstrations of ground and air based robotic systems within a designated demonstration area. The event will be promoted through defence media channels and provides an excellent opportunity to build networks within Defence. The Deed of Participation terms (within these CFS Terms) will govern the Applicants’ participation at ARX 2021.

ARX 2021 is open to Defence personnel, Defence contractors, invited guests, Defence invited media. Invitations will be extended to the senior representatives from across technology and innovation groups within Defence.

There is no attendance entry fee for ARX 2021. Successful applicants will be required to self-fund all travel, freight and demonstration costs of their technology for the purposes of ARX 2021 in line with the Deed of Participation.