Latest News from ADA-Vic

We would especially like to wish all our ADA members that have been nominated success at the upcoming awards night next week!

Amiga Engineering
Integra Systems
Stahl Metall

Winners to be announced at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 10 August, at Palladium at Crown. The Gala Dinner provides businesses and individuals working across manufacturing with a unique opportunity to network and connect with industry leaders and celebrate all that is made in Victoria.

To attend the Gala Dinner, purchase your ticket on the Business Victoria website

Thales is pleased to host ADA-VIC at their Melbourne based global centre of excellence in Air Traffic Management.

This will be a great opportunity to network with other SMEs, to visit the local Thales site, meet and hear from key people from Thales and to receive updates on a number of major programs in Australia and around the world.

Registration will commence at 9am. There will be briefings from 9.30 am followed by networking and a morning tea, finishing by 11.30am.

The event is free for ADA members and will fill up very quickly. Numbers are limited due to site restrictions so, if you haven't already done so, please register your interest to attend as soon as possible by clicking the link below and completing the form.

LOCATION: World Trade Centre, 18-38 Siddeley Street, Docklands

TIME: 9am Registration to 11.30am

DATE: Wednesday 16th August 2023

Saab Deployable Health Capability Achieves Major Delivery Milestone

Saab Australia’s deployable health project JP2060 Phase 3 delivered 131 separate modules that were accepted by the Commonwealth, thereby achieving Contract Material Release 1.

The modules, which range from complex deployable surgical modules to training equipment, will now be tested by Defence as they progress towards Initial Operating Capability later this year.

Under the AUD 384 million JP2060-3 project, Saab will provide Defence with more than 550 health modules to deliver clinical care, including surgery, advanced medical imaging, trauma and intensive care services, categorised as NATO Role 1 to 3.

Read more >

$385 Million in Grants Finalised for Australian Manufacturing

The Australian Government has finalised contracts for $385 million in project grants under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative Collaboration Stream.

The Collaboration stream is the largest grant program under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative. Grants between $20 million and $200 million and up to one third of eligible project costs, are awarded to large projects that feature or will create an environment that fosters collaboration.

Successful projects will help transform the manufacturing industry by increasing collaboration and building economies of scale in the six National Manufacturing Priority areas.

The following projects are announced:

Gilmour Space Technologies will receive a grant worth over $51.4 million
SAAB Australia will receive a grant worth over $22.6 million.
Arafura Resources Limited will receive a grant worth around $29.9 million.
Australian Vanadium Limited will receive a grant worth $49 million.
Alpha HPA Limited will receive a grant worth $45 million.
Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre will receive a grant worth over $61.2 million.
Turbine Sunshine Coast will receive a grant worth over $33.4 million.
Fortescue Future Industries will receive a grant worth over $44.9 million.
Masdar Tribe Australia will receive a grant worth $48.2 million.

Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Request for Information (RFI)

Dear Innovators,

The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is calling on Australian industry and research providers to submit responses to a Request for Information (RFI) regarding sovereign un-crewed aerial systems (UAS) and trusted autonomy capabilities. Defence seeks to support this sovereign industrial capability, particularly focussing on small, general-purpose systems that can be produced at scale.

Responses to this RFI will inform Defence’s approach to developing this capability. You can access the AusTender listing here to access and lodge an RFI.

The RFI will close 21 August 2023 at 4:30pm AEST.

For further information regarding ASCA please visit www.defence.gov.au/asca. For any enquiries, please contact ASCA at ASCA.Enquiries@defence.gov.au

From Defence:

Defence formally revealed LAND 400 Phase 3 program which will transform the Army's combined arms combat capabilities. The win will support thousands of high-skilled jobs, provide a significant economic boost to industry and support Australia’s strategic imperative to develop sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities. See more here.
Defence has announced intention to accelerate Boeing Australia sovereign MQ-28A Ghost Bat autonomous air vehicle program, instructing the company to forward options to develop the program. See more here.
Space Command formally shifted operating within the Air Force to the ADF’s Joint Capabilities Group. The move forms part of the Defence Strategic Review recommendation that will see the Space Surveillance Unit assume operation of Defence’s space domain awareness capabilities. See more here.
Defence will purchase 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force for $9.8 billion. The new acquisitions will replace and expand upon the 12 Hercules aircraft currently operated by Air Force with delivery of the first aircraft expected from late 2027. See more here.
Defence Science Institute call for EOI: Indo Pacific Innovation Pitchfest Wednesday 8 November 2023. See more here.
Attached is the TDA 2023 Calendar.

Other News

IFV cooperation tapped as cornerstone for upgrading Australia-South Korea strategic alliance. See more here.
The Monash University-led research received nearly $600,000 in funding from the National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants Program to further develop AI capabilities. See more here.
ManuFutures 2 expands Geelong’s manufacturing credentials. The new facility, which received $10 million in funding from the Victorian State Government, is an extension to the original ManuFutures hub which opened in 2018. See more here.
The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs is calling for tenders to provide a Secure G Connectivity Test Lab. The successful provider will design, establish and run the test lab over an initial operating period of 2 years. Tenders are due 14 August 2023. See more here.
The UK Department of Business and Trade has released an EOI for an investment/trade mission to the UK Space Conference 2023 in November 2023. EOIs close 1 September 2023. To further discuss contact Kirsten.busteed@space.gov.au and see more here.
Aquaterro has secured its first sidearm weapon system purchase order as part of LAND 159, valued at $30 million. See more here.
Australian Defence Apparel is expanding their existing Defence Industry Security Program membership to their Bendigo Factory. See more here.
The Victorian Government is supporting manufacturers across the state to equip their workers with the cutting-edge digital skills needed to boost competitiveness and create more jobs of the future through the Digital Jobs for Manufacturing program. See more here
KBR Australia, located in Melbourne, launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. The plan honours the principles of reconciliation by contributing to the empowerment and advancement of Indigenous communities. See more here.
Exail has deepened its strategic partnership with local defence industry leaders including Victorian-based UGL, through CEO Dominique Giannoni’s recent visit to Australia with the aim of securing the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1905. See more here.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre issued a critical alert after detecting a vulnerability in networking firmware commonly used on Australian networks. Vulnerability CVE-2023-3519 had been found affecting the Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway. See more here.
Global cloud risk and threat detection provider Rapid7 has released its Executive Risk View solution, enabling security leaders to assess risk and collaborate with teams across a business. See more here.
3 things for businesses to know about supply chain attacks. See more here.
Applications are now open for 2024 Westpac Scholar Research Fellowships, closing 4 September 2023. To apply and see more here.
EOI are open for both Business and Education Partners in Victoria to participate in SummerTech LIVE 2023-24. 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.
10 August 2023 – Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards. See more here.
10 August 2023 – Veteran Housing Australia Charity Golf Day. See more here.

17 August 2023 - Young AICC Cyber Panel. See more here.
29 August 2023 - Army Innovation Day. See more here.
7 September 2023 - Melbourne Space Workforce and Industry Drinks. See more here.
18 - 20 September 2023 - SIA Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference. See more here.
21 September 2023 – Australian Defence Industry Awards. See more here.
8 November 2023 – Maritime Environment Working Group Conference. See more here.
7 - 9 November 2023 - 2023 Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition. See more here.
27 November 2023 - Defence Artificial Intelligence Symposium. See more here.
4 - 6 December 2023 - Defence Human Sciences Symposium. See more here.

Links to Grants and other Programs:

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 when funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first.

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.

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.

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!