Latest News from ADA-Vic

Another Step in Missile and Munitions Manufacturing in Australia Announced

The Government has taken another step towards rapidly establishing domestic manufacturing of missiles and munitions at scale under a plan that bolsters Australia’s defence capabilities while creating hundreds of jobs.

The Government yesterday announced Thales has been selected as the preferred tenderer to build a new domestic forging capability for 155mm M795 artillery ammunition.

The 155mm M795 artillery ammunition are used by Australia, the United States and other international partners for the M777A2 Light Towed Howitzer, a critical close-fires capability.

Defence will work with Thales as the preferred company to build, establish and commission the forge at the Commonwealth-owned Benalla Munitions Facility. This project is expected to support at least 550 jobs.

The forge will produce 15,000 rounds each year by 2028, with capacity to produce up to 100,000 for global consumption. It will also be the first dedicated forge outside of the United States that will manufacture 155mm M795 artillery ammunition.

Read full press release>

Annual Cyber Threat Report Highlights Evolving Threat

The Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Annual Cyber Threat Report for 2023-24 highlights Australia’s rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.

This threat landscape aligns with the challenging strategic environment outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the 2023 Cyber Security Strategy, with strategic competition being accompanied by technological developments including in cyber capabilities.

This year’s report details how malicious state and non-state cyber actors continue to target Australian governments, critical infrastructure, businesses and individuals , including for the purposes of espionage, disruptive effects and financial gain.

While the number of cyber incidents being reported remains steady, the report shows the impact and costs of cybercrime to Australian small businesses and individuals are increasing.

Key findings from the report include:

ASD received over 36,700 calls to its Australian Cyber Security Hotline, an increase of 12 per cent from 2022-23.
ASD received over 87,000 reports of cybercrime over the financial year, an average of a report every six minutes.
11 per cent of the 1,100 cyber security incidents ASD responded to related to critical infrastructure.
The average cost of cybercrime for small businesses rose by 8 per cent from last year to $49,600 per report, and by 17 per cent for individuals to $30,700 per report.

This year’s report reinforces the importance of having close public and private sector partnerships to effectively bolster Australia’s cyber defences. It also highlights the need for all Australians to play their part in protecting our nation’s cyber security.

The 2023-24 Annual Cyber Threat Report is available here.

Read full press release >

Over $60 Million Investment in Australian Innovation to give Defence a Technological Edge

The Government is backing local innovation in quantum and counter disinformation technologies that are key to giving Defence an edge and which will also be critical to a future made in Australia.

The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program has signed 21 contracts as part of an investment of over $60 million with Australian universities and industry partners.

This investment gives effect to innovation priorities in the National Defence Strategy and Asymmetric Advantage – Delivering More, Together, the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy.

The EDT program is pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge to advance the development of existing and new capabilities that help deter hostile acts against Australia and in our region.

Long-term partnerships between scientists, military end-users and innovators are positively shaping Australia’s defence innovation ecosystem.

Read full press release >

Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Capability Effect of Decision Advantage under the Emerging & Disruptive Technologies program.

The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) invites industry and academia to submit a response to the latest Request for Proposals (RFP) for the capability effect of Decision Advantage under the Emerging & Disruptive Technologies program.

Decision Advantage refers to the ability to process, analyse and act upon information faster and more accurately than adversaries.

To view the Opportunity Statements and register for the co-design workshop visit Current ATM View - RFP49875 ASCA EDT DA: AusTender

The EMDG program provides grants to Australian small and medium enterprises and their representative bodies to:

market and promote their goods and services globally
undertake export training

Round 4 applications open for Tiers 1, 3 and representative bodies

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) online portal remains open for the following grant categories:

Tier 1 – ready to export
Tier 3 - exporting to new key markets
Representative bodies.

It will remain open until all funds are allocated. This may happen quickly, so don't delay.

Even if you lodge your application prior to the closure of the online portal, you may not be successful. This is because the grant funding may have been already fully allocated to other applicants.

EMDG Round 4 is closed for Tier 2

EMDG funding has been fully allocated for Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets. We have closed the online portal for applications for this tier.

If you missed out on applying for Tier 2, you may consider Tier 3 provided you meet all eligibility requirements.

Remember, you must submit your Export Market Development Grant application through the EMDG online portal. Make sure you have your information ready when you apply.

Once funding is fully allocated for Tiers 1, 3 and representative bodies, we will close the online portal for these applications too.

Please check the EMDG online portal for the funding allocation status for each tier. Make sure you follow the IT tips under the heading 'Improve your portal experience' to help you with a smooth lodgement process.

More info >

AUKUS Licence Free Environment

Under the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 (DTC Amendment Act), Australia has established a licence-free environment to promote strategic collaborations with our Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) partners.

The licence-free environment exempts certain Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) goods technology, services from permit requirements when transferring between Australia, the United States and/or the United Kingdom.

The JOSCAR-AU system was established following an initiative led by a growing number of prime contractors as registered buyers together with the Commonwealth Government.

JOSCAR-AU is a cross-sector collaborative solution that reduces the time, cost, resources and duplication currently needed to provide information to major prime customers. Holding common supplier information in a central system, the JOSCAR-AU accreditation system allows information to be accessed by all participating buying organisations.

JOSCAR-AU is designed to make the process of pre-qualification or accreditation as efficient as possible – saving your company a significant amount of the time, effort and cost associated with working for multiple clients.

Hellios enables more effective compliance with client requirements for business through a single process. Your initial registration will determine the level of pre-qualification or accreditation that your clients require, based on an automated risk profile.

Expert advice is provided throughout the process to guide you including identifying potential business improvement opportunities that may increase your competitive advantage.

Registration on JOSCAR-AU is either by invitation from your registered JOSCAR-AU buyer or via self nomination. If your buyer has asked you to complete the JOSCAR-AU questionnaire, they will contact Hellios directly on your behalf. Hellios will then process this request and send a link to the questionnaire for you to complete. If you would like to self nominate, please reach out at joscar@hellios.com.au.

BAESA/GAP Industry Training: Estimating For Defence

BAE Systems Australia and the Global Access Program are pleased to once again offer Estimating & Pricing Industry Training during 2024.

Delivering competitive and defendable proposals for Defence requires a variety of estimating techniques to build robust, credible and defendable Basis of Estimates. Learn how to challenge your cost base, supplier quotes, estimates and price, and submit a compliant proposal that meets customer requirements, represents value for money, and can survive a cost investigation.

Estimating For Defence is a two day course developed by Estimating & Pricing (E&P) at BAE Systems Australia, and delivered in partnership with the Global Access Program (GAP).

To register, please click on the BAE Systems supplier portal link now - http://BAESystemsSupplierPortal.icn.org.au

If you require any further information, please contact Megan Allan directly on megan.allan@baesystems.au.

Open to Industry partners Based in Australia, Canada, and the UK

The Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) aims to coalesce and expand the defense industrial base (DIB) in support of the Manufacturing, Capability Expansion, and Investment Prioritization Directorate (MCEIP) critical sectors and additional areas of interest. To align with the recent modification to the definition of Domestic Source for Title III of the Defense Production Act, and in keeping with the MCEIP vision of delivering a resilient U.S. supply chain and workforce able to respond in times of national security crisis, DIBC is excited to announce that we are opening membership to Industry partners in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This increased level of collaboration will aid the DIBC in achieving MCEIP’s mission and vision.

The application to become a DIBC member can be found here. International members will need to apply for a NCAGE Code and UEI prior to joining DIBC. To apply for a NCAGE code, each organization will need to register at https://sam.gov/. Instructions on how to register can be found here.

If you have questions about the application process, please feel free to reach out to dibconsortium@ati.org.

SME Connect Programs

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has announced a $20 million investment to provide small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with greater access to vital research and development (R&D) opportunities to accelerate their growth.

The funding will allow CSIRO’s SME Connect team to support up to 750 SMEs through a range of programs and initiatives that provide facilitation, training, dollar-matched funding and support to start-ups and SMEs seeking to engage in company-led research projects.

One of the programs being supported is SME Connects flagship program, CSIRO Kick-Start. Since its inception in 2017, the Kick-Start program has facilitated over 280 company-led R&D projects, with alumni companies collectively holding a market value exceeding $2 billion.

Dr Doug Hilton, CSIRO’s Chief Executive, emphasised the significance of this investment and the transformative impact it would have for Australia’s critical SME sector.

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 until funds have been exhausted.

Defence Industry Development Grants Program

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program (the program) will award grants over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28. The program was announced as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority.

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program funds four distinct grant opportunity streams tailored to address the program outcomes:

Sovereign Industrial Priorities
Skilling
Exports
Security.

These four grants opportunities will be assessed in batches. We will regularly update the closing dates for each batch on this page. You can apply at any time.

All projects are due to be completed by 31 Mar 2028.

About the streams

The Sovereign Industrial Priorities stream will assist eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to purchase manufacturing plant and equipment which is used directly to develop and/or deliver programs that are in line with the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs) described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Skilling stream helps Australian defence industry to upskill and train in priority trade, technical and professional skillsets to develop a workforce with the right mix of qualified and experienced personnel to meet Defence requirements. The program will enhance the capacity and capability of Australian defence industry workforce to deliver SDIPs described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Exports stream provides support for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome export barriers and help defence industry build scale and competitiveness in defence capability priority areas as identified by the SDIPs described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Security stream helps Australian defence industry improve and maintain security in priority areas as identified by the SDIPs and in line with the Defence Industry Security Program.

More info >

Industry Growth Program - Support for Innovative SMEs to Commercialise and Grow their Business

The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Minor changes or improvements to existing products or services are not considered innovative.

You will be connected to an Industry Growth Program Adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project.

Once you have received this advice, you may also be able to apply for:

grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.

More info >

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.

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.

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!