Latest Defence News from ADA-Vic

Hi there,

The world, Australia and the Defence Industry are an ever-changing landscape.

With movement in the political world we are sure to have a new Minister for Defence shortly.

If you're still scratching your head wondering how to engage with and gain traction in the Defence Supply Chain, please get in touch today via info@australiandefencealliance.org.au so that we can point you in the right direction.

ADA-Vic continues to stand at the forefront advocating on behalf of members to key Government and Defence stakeholders every week.

We are the conduit between Defence Industry, Government, Defence, Primes and SMEs advocating for the outcomes that affect members and the wider industry.

We're also keen to keep getting feedback so that we can run worthwhile events for the benefit of our members; on challenges you face within the Defence Industry.

Let us know what types of events will enable you to do Better Business in Defence... ...via the button below (3 question form)

Information

Updates from Government & Defence regarding their programs and Industry
Collated weekly tenders

Networking

Monthly Face-to-Face Business Speed Dating (BSD) networking events
Live webinars on relevant Defence Industry topics

Support

Reach out if you have a challenge you can't navigate
Reach out if you're stuck and need some further information

Advocacy

Defence and Government can only make changes based on feedback... if there are issues - we need to know about them = from you

(RAS-AI) Navy Calls for Feedback - Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence

The RAS-AI Directorate (Director CAPT Nicholas Trongale) is currently developing a campaign plan for adoption and integration of RAS-AI systems within the Navy, following the release of Navy’s RAS-AI Strategy 2040 last year. RAND is conducting research in support of the development of the campaign plan, on topics including innovation, technology and workforce.

Deadline is this week, however Navy is keen to hear your thoughts even if the submission is next week.

From Defence

Priority Sovereign Industry Capabilities & Grants, Minister for Defence Industry Announcement, more here
Defence funds 40 engineering scholarships at RMIT and QUT to support the national naval shipbuilding enterprise, more here
The Commonwealth Government releases the Naval Shipbuilding Training and Upskilling Program to provide pathways into the naval shipbuilding industry, more here
Defence has committed to procuring an additional three Loyal Wingman aircraft, securing 33 jobs in Victoria, more here
Defence will conduct a review of the Global Supply Chain program. The terms of reference are being developed
The Commonwealth Government has reached agreement with Naval Group that it will spend 60 percent of the contract value in Australia over the life of the program, more here

Funding and Announcements

CDIC Grants Re-Open... 3 x Capability Improvement & Competitiveness Grants, more here
$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
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
Business Events Grant Program = Assistance to attend industry events, more here
Victorian Govt. 'Small Business Digital Adaptation Program', update your business, 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
February’s edition of Defence Technology Review. See more 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
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
ASIO releases a new awareness campaign, 'Think Before You Link' (TBYL), more 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
The New Budget - for defence industry here & also holistically for business and employment here

Other News

The Australian Space Agency and AUSTRADE are holding an industry event on the UK-Australia Space Bridge Arrangement on 25 March 2021 at 5pm, more information and registration details here
Latest News from CDIC can be found here
BAE Systems Australia is awarded a 5-year contract with Defence for the Nulka decoy system. This will secure 60 jobs in Victoria, more here
Team Redback completes integration testing of its active protection systems and the SPIKE LR2 missile, more here
Segula establishes its APAC HQ in Melbourne, more here
Kinexus has publish a blog on employment in the defence industry sector, more here
Air Radiators has developed an enhanced radiator for Supacat’s High Mobility Transporter vehicle in use with the ADF, more here
Textron Systems Australia has been shortlisted for Block One of SEA 129 Phase 5, more here
Bambach Wires and Cables secures a Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant, more here
A Land 400 Armoured Fighting Vehicles Facilities Program – Subcontractors and Supplier Briefing will be conducted in Seymour from 5 to 7 pm on Tuesday 30 March 2021, register here

As the project contractor, St Hilliers would like to invite interested suppliers and subcontractors to attend this Industry Briefing for the Land 400 Armoured Fighting Vehicles Facilities Program Project at Puckapunyal. We particularly encourage supply chain businesses involved in the construction sector to attend to hear how they could potentially gain work on this large project. This project involves all aspects of construction and construction related capability.

This event will be hosted at The Seymour Club in Seymour, Victoria. This event is guided by the Victorian Government's current COVIDSafe requirements and will implement a range of COVIDSafe measures. All attendees need to refer to COVID Safety advice prior to attending and follow all directions on the event day. Also, there is a strict limited capacity as according to current venue COVIDSafe restrictions - attendees must be registered to attend this event.

Important: This event is subject to approval from the state government as a Tier 3 Public Event.

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 address here
Web address here

US DEFENCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES

US Defense - Soldier Robotic Controller (SRoC), deadline 30 March - more here
US Defense - Spectrum and Wireless Monitoring System (SWiM), deadline 02 April, more here
DARPA - Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIE) Opportunity – Hybrid AI Protect of Open Source Code (SocialCyber), deadline 06 April, more here
DARPA – Low Temperature Logic Technology (LTLT), deadline 06 April, more here
US DARPA – Perceptually-enabled Task Guidance (PTG), deadline 14 May, more here

Companies with an interest in applying can also email, contact here
for further information and support.

UK DEFENCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES

UK DASA is running some competitions!

Wireless Communications, Networking and Information

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.

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.

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 email, contact here
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.