Latest News from ADA-Vic

Hi there,

Today the Government announced the appointment of Major General Natasha Fox, AM, CSC, as the inaugural Chief of Personnel in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

As recommended by the DSR, ADF personnel management should be centralised into a single integrated system incorporating the five domains, headed by a Chief of Personnel reporting directly to the Chief of the Defence Force.

As Chief of Personnel, Major General Fox will take on this responsibility with the distinct aim of increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and cohesiveness of personnel management to achieve a more integrated ADF.

The DSR also recommended options be developed to change Defence’s recruitment framework.

This aims to improve the eligibility pool of potential applications and to align service recruitment requirements to military employment, especially in key technical and specialist trades.

Major General Fox will be promoted to Lieutenant General and will commence in her new role on 5 June 2023.

Secure a speaking slot in The Indo Pacific Hub - submit your expression of interest before May 31.

The Hub at Indo Pacific 2023 offers a three day program of presentations from subject matter experts on a range of topics impacting the region's naval defence and commercial maritime industries and academic thought.

Have your say in the Indo Pacific Hub and present to an international audience who will be in Sydney from 7-9 November for Indo Pacific 2023

There is no fee to participate in The Hub and presentations are open to all accredited Indo Pacific 2023 Trade Visitors.

Held online, Defence Day by ICN provides you with a unique opportunity for you to hear from influential people from both Government and Defence Primes.

Hear from:

Jane Wood, the Assistant Secretary Australian Industry Capability Delivery from the Department of Defence, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), who will be opening the event.
Judy Dennison, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Defence Industry Support
BAE
SAAB
BidWrite

From Defence:      

The Australian Government handed down its 2023 – 2024 Federal Budget. Defence spending for 2023-24 to reach $52.558 billion, up from $49.131 billion in 2022-23.

$19 billion over the next four years to implement the immediate priorities identified in the DSR
$3.4 billion over 10 years from 2023-24 to establish the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) to lift capacity to translate disruptive new technologies into Defence capability
$4.5 billion over 10 years from 2023–24 (and $482.7 million per year ongoing) to support acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, including:

$4.2 billion over 10 years to establish and operate the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA)
$127.3 million over 4 years from 2023–24 for 4,000 additional commencing Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) in nuclear submarine-related university and higher education programs

$400 million to support Australian Defence Force personnel through a new continuation bonus
$101 million for critical technology industries including $20 million over four years for an Australian Centre for Quantum Growth, and $40 million to incentivise business uptake
$454 million to fund the prior commitment to acquire 10 MQ-28A Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft, with $145 million to be spent in 2023-24
$314 million to help up to 3.8 million SMEs save on energy bills through tax deductions for investing in the efficient use of energy
$40 million for a National AI Centre and funding for businesses to adopt AI technologies and;
$9 million for STEM education programmes. See more here and here.

Defence has established a new national research and innovation centre dedicated to solving Operating in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Environments challenges. The Centre for Advance Defence Research and Enterprise (CADRE) is based at the University of Melbourne. See more here.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has announced a $160 million contract to build new Bushmaster Protected Vehicles for the Australian Army. The Bushmasters will be manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria, with the first delivery expected in 2024. See more here.
Defence has invested $40 million in a new health and wellbeing facility and $30 million investment in modern living-in accommodation for trainees with space to study, rest, and socialise at Puckapunyal Military Base in central Victoria. See more here.

Defence has committed $180 million over the next five years to modernise the anti-ship missile defence capabilities on Royal Australian Navy ships. See more here.

Defence announced plans for an Australian submarine agency and Australian nuclear-powered submarine safety regulator. The agencies will help manage Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS defence partnership. See more here.
Former Nova Systems CEO, Jim McDowell to be appointed as Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment at Defence. See more here.
Attached is the TDA 2023 Calendar.

Other News

Victorian metal additive manufacturing company SPEE3D has been named as a winner of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology “Point of Need Challenge” in the United States. See more here.
Victorian advanced manufacturer, Corvus Technology Solutions has appointed Nick Williams a new General Manager. See more here.
The Australian Government announced a new $392.4 million Industry Growth Program for SMEs and startups. See more here.
The Australian Government has announced nearly $150 million in funding to deliver skills and workforce training for Australia’s AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program. See more here.
Manufacturing workers keen to develop their skills and knowledge are being encouraged to apply for scholarships as part of Manufacturing Skills Australia’s Industry Development Fund. Eligible industries for the scholarships include aerospace, process manufacturing and others. See more here.
Deakin University PhD researcher Anu Rajendran, supported by the DSI’s Research Higher Degree Student Grant, is applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to counteract the impacts of the spaceflight environment on pilots in highly automated cockpits. See more here.
Nine Victorian manufacturers have received a total of $1.4 million through the State Government’s Low Carbon Manufacturing Grants Program to help the companies compete in a low carbon economy. See more here.
Celebrating 20 years of manufacturing advocacy and collaboration, SEMMA (South-East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance) has launched a new campaign aimed at highlighting the smart, secure, and sustainable careers available in modern manufacturing. See more here.
The Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Early Career Researcher Grant applications are now open. The grant provides up to A$10,000 to support early career researchers. Applications close 31 July 2023. See more here.
Nominations open 2 August for ADM’s 30 under 30 awards. The awards recognise the thirty best and brightest individuals in any field in Defence and Defence Industry aged under thirty. The awards ceremony will be held March 2024 in Canberra. See more here.
Cooperative Research Australia invites nominations for The Early Career Researchers Competition. Closing Date: 16 June 2023. 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.

1 June 2023 – Australian Cyber Security Summit and Awards. See more here.
5 - 6th June 2023 - Land Environment Working Group. See more here.
7 June 2023 - Tendering for Defence. See more here.
8 June 2023 – SEMMA 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner. See more here.
21 June 2023 - ADM Congress. See more here. 
22 June 2023 - Cyber Security and DISP Workshop. See more here.
29 August 2023 - Army Innovation Day 2023. See more here.
18 – 20 September 2023 - SIA Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference 2023. See more here.
21 September 2023 – Australian Defence Industry Awards. See more here.

7 – 9 November 2023 - Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023. See more here.

Links to Grant and other Programs:

Victorian Government Circular Economy
Office of Defence Industry Support       
Defence Science Institute Assistance and Support  
Defence Global Competitiveness Grants Program

Defence Innovation Hub       
Defence Cooperative Research Centres Program       
Small Business Innovation Research for Defence   
Export Finance Australia

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.