Latest News from ADA-Vic

Hi Juanita,

Today is International Women in Engineering Day and is celebrated on June 23 every year around the world, to honor women in the field of engineering. It focuses on raising the profile of women who are changing the field of engineering and aims to bring attention to the amazing and innovative career opportunities engineering can offer women. This year’s theme is Inventors and Innovators.

It has been recognized by UNESCO and is a befitting tribute for the anniversary of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), which was established on June 23, 1919. It was launched for the first time in the UK on 23 June 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to celebrate its 95th anniversary.

International Women in Engineering Day 2021 (INWED 21) | Engineers Australi International Women in Engineering Day – 23 June 2021 (inwed.org.uk)

Qantas and Airbus Joint Investment to Kickstart Australian Biofuels Industry

The Qantas Group and Airbus will invest up to US$200 million to accelerate the establishment of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Australia in a landmark agreement.

The Australian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Partnership was signed in Doha on the 19th June by Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury ahead of the IATA AGM.

Due to the lack of a local commercial-scale SAF industry, Australia is currently exporting millions of tonnes of feedstock every year, such as canola and animal tallow to be made into SAF in other countries.

The Qantas Group, which has committed to using 10 per cent SAF in its overall fuel mix by 2030, is sourcing SAF overseas, including 15 percent of its fuel use out of London currently and 20 million litres each year for flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Australia from 2025.

Sustainable fuels cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 80 per cent compared to traditional kerosene and are the most significant tool airlines currently have to reduce their impact on the environment – particularly given they can be used in today’s engines with no modifications.

The Qantas and Airbus partnership will provide funding for locally developed and produced SAF and feedstock initiatives. Projects will have to be commercially viable and meet a strict set of criteria around environmental sustainability.

US Congress AUKUS Working Group Introduce Australian Nuclear Training Bill

The federal government's announcement last year of its plan to purchase a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines has taken a significant step forward last week with the US government introducing legislation that would enable Royal Australian Navy officers to train on US nuclear submarines.

The legislation was drafted by the US Congress’ AUKUS Working Group, a group of US lawmakers set up earlier this year to support the various AUKUS initiatives. The group, also known as the AUKUS Caucus, was founded by Reps. Moore, Courtney, Gallagher, and Kilmer, and will serve as the go-to panel in the U.S. Congress for implementation of and collaboration on the new undersea alliance.

From Defence:  

The Minister for Defence met with Japanese Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo in Tokyo. The Ministers announced strengthened bilateral defence cooperation, including in science and technology, strategic capabilities and stronger supply chain ties. See more here.
Four female leaders, including Tessa Zangalis, from Victoria, were appointed to the first all-female national Australian Army Cadet leadership team, to improve programs for over 18,000 cadets in more than 250 units across the country. See more here.

Other News:   

Hanwha and Elbit confirm Redback cooperation to produce the Redback IFV turret and various accessory items from the H-ACE at Avalon. See more here.
A new cyber security framework has been developed by Industry and Government. Cyber Framework for the Defence Industry (CFDI) has been developed to measure and increase the cyber resilience of SMEs wanting to work on Defence programs. See more here.
Titomic will provide radiation shielding for SA company Fleet Space’s Alpha satellite, expected for launch into low-earth orbit by SpaceX by 2023. See more here.
Titomic also signed a joint venture agreement with Nèos International to develop a large-scale additive manufacturing site in the UK, which is expected to manufacture and distribute Invar36 faceplates and other products in the UK and Europe. See more here.
Thales Australia have announced the appointment of Jeff Connolly as CEO. Mr Connolly will Chris Jenkins, who had a 35-year career at Thales, including 14 years as CEO. See more here.
Thales Australia’s Lithgow Arms business opened the Small Arms Collaboration and Cooperation Centre (C3) to support Australian SMEs and industry partners. Victorian-based companies A.W. Bell, Hosico and Wedgetail Industries are among those taking part in C3. See more here.
EY Australia and Swinburne University Technology announce the launch of a new Space Tech hub. See more here.
Elbit Systems of Australia and RMIT University announced a two-year partnership to deliver joint research projects on using drones during natural disasters and emergency situations. See more here.
Monash University placed second in this year’s global University Rover Challenge, where they competed against 36 global teams at the Mars Desert research Station in Utah. The “Platypus” vehicle tested human exploration on the Red Planet. See more here.
Attached is an ADM’s list of Defence tenders.

Victorian Common User Facility  

If industry requires access to secure communications facilities to engage with Defence, this can be provided through the Victorian Common User Facility.  

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:  

14 – 21 June D.Start Ignite Innovation Showcase. See more here.
22 June 2022 – ADM Congress. See more here.  
20 - 22 July 2022 – Australian Defence Science and Technology Research Summit (ADSTAR). See more here.  
26 - 27 July 2022 – Beyond Transits: The Emerging Security Relevance of the Indian Ocean. See more here.   
15 August 2022 – ADM STEM in Defence Summit. See more here. 
15 September 2022 - Australian Defence Industry Awards. See more here.
15 – 18 September 2022 - Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ASAM) Annual Conference. See more here.
6 October 2022 – Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition. See more here.  
11 - 17 November 2022 – Maritime RobotX Challenge. See more here.  
28 February – 5 March 2023 – Australian International Aerospace & Defence Exposition (28 February – 3 March) and the Australian International Airshow (3-5 March). See more here.

Links to Grant and other Programs:  

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.

Panel Discussion & Networking Event to Discuss Challenges, Strategies for Success and Experiences from Women in STEM Related Industries.

Register to hear the panel discuss a range of issues and insights with a view to fostering positive and collaborative change.

The aim is to bring women together from industries such as rail, defence, logistics, and other STEM careers to talk about commonalities between industries, how to successfully navigate career moves, and how to network outside the bar and off the golf course.

Our panellists include women from each of our key industries: Defence, Rail, and Logistics.

The panel discussion will be followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to connect with others in the Engineers Australia event space in the Melbourne CBD.