Global counter-drone technology company DroneShield has opened a new research and development (R&D) hub at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen, strengthening South Australia’s defence technology sector. The ASX-listed company’s first dedicated R&D facility outside its New South Wales headquarters will focus on advanced engineering and product development for counter-drone and electronic warfare solutions. The hub is expected to create about 20 specialised engineering roles across radio frequency electronics, electronic warfare and systems interoperability. Work undertaken at the facility will support the continued development of DroneShield’s counter-drone technologies and contribute to Australia’s sovereign defence capability. DroneShield Chief Executive Angus Bean said South Australia’s ...

In a major win for South Australia’s defence industry, DTC, a division of electronics company Codan, will supply its advanced radio technology for use in Polish drones. DTC recently signed a deal with unmanned systems manufacturer FlyFocus that will see the Polish company use the Adelaide-designed and manufactured radio technology which allows the unmanned systems to reliably communicate and share data with their operators. As drones and unmanned systems play an increasing role in current conflicts, DTC’s solutions are designed to maintain connectivity in complex and interference heavy operating environments, reducing the chances of the signal between operators and units ...

The Submarine Institute of Australia's 8th Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference (SubSTEC8) is underway in Adelaide, exploring the theme 'Pillar 1 through a Pillar 2 Lens – Advanced AUKUS Capabilities and the Submarine Deterrent'. Over the two-day conference, SubSTEC8 will explore how AUKUS "Advanced Technology" (Pillar 2) can address the challenges of maintaining a contemporary submarine capability during a period of significant geostrategic change. It will specifically examine the transition to a multi-class fleet, including the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. "The acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through AUKUS seeks to improve Australia’s deterrence capabilities as a priority for immediate action. ...

South Australian defence capability will take centre stage at the nation’s leading international land defence exposition, Land Forces 2026, in October. Joining the South Australia – The Defence State stand at the event in Perth will be 60 innovative South Australian defence companies, alongside leading research and education institutions. Throughout the three-day event, exhibitors will demonstrate their expertise across advanced manufacturing, systems integration and engineering. Sovereign capabilities critical to strengthening the development of Australia’s land forces will also be showcased, including Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and autonomous systems, cyber and information resilience, simulation and training. Among the exhibitors will be ...

South Australian defence technology company RFTEQ is partnering with Poland-based XY-Sensing to develop new security and electronic warfare technology for defence, security and critical infrastructure customers. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities across advanced radio frequency, radar, sensing and mission-system technologies. Their combined capabilities will support the development of next-generation sensing and monitoring solutions for drones and unmanned systems, border security and critical infrastructure protection. The MOU was signed at MSPO, one of Europe’s largest military defence exhibitions, where RFTEQ was supported to showcase its capabilities as part of the Team Defence Australia stand. ...

Adelaide-based REDARC Defence & Space will unveil its new Australian-made military inverter at Land Forces 2026. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia, the rugged inverter is built to provide reliable power for defence vehicles, mission systems and deployable operations, even in challenging environments. The new capability has been developed to support Defence’s need for resilient, sovereign technology that can operate in harsh conditions where dust, moisture, vibration, shock and extreme temperature can impact mission-critical equipment performance. Executive General Manager of REDARC Defence & Space Scott Begbie said local development of advanced technologies is a priority for the South Australian business, ...

Adelaide companies Praetorian Aeronautics and Zero Dawn have teamed up to develop a critical defence capability that will enhance air and missile defence systems in Australia and allied nations, while advancing the state’s role in supporting the national Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), that will seek to integrate Zero Dawn’s locally-manufactured munitions into Praetorian’s counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS), Arrow, which is designed to detect and intercept drones and other unmanned systems in contested environments. Founder and CEO of Praetorian Aeronautics Brett Hill said counter-autonomy is becoming one of ...

A keel laying ceremony marked a major milestone in the construction of the first of six Hunter class frigates at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide’s north. Honouring a centuries-old naval tradition, a coin was placed beneath the keel of the ship to bestow good fortune on the vessel during its construction and throughout its life at sea. The occasion also formally recognised progress on the first vessel, NUSHIP Hunter, with 20 of the ship’s 22 blocks already under construction by BAE Systems Maritime Australia. The event marks an important step in the delivery of the Hunter class frigates, which will ...

South Australian technology company Codan has drawn strong industry interest in its bid to propose sovereign, Australian-led tactical communications solution for the Australian Defence Force under LAND 4140 Work Package 16 Tactical Edge Radio. Codan hosted an Australian Industry Brief at its Mawson Lakes campus this month, bringing together companies from across Australia's defence, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors to explore opportunities to contribute to its proposed DTC tactical edge radio solution. The briefing attracted 89 industry representatives, with Codan CEO and Managing Director Alf Ianniello said the response demonstrated Australian industry’s readiness to contribute to a nationally significant Defence ...

Advanced military-grade testing and validation of mission-critical electronic systems can now be performed locally following a significant upgrade by a South Australian electronics manufacturing firm of its on-site lab. REDARC Defence & Space, which operates from Lonsdale in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, has bolstered its testing and compliance facilities by upgrading its existing Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) chamber with 75 new radio frequency absorbers installed across three walls and the ceiling. The absorbers enable MIL-STD-461-compliant testing to be done on site and significantly expands REDARC's ability to qualify electronic and electro mechanical systems for operation in demanding defence environments. The upgraded in-house ...

South Australia is bringing together industry, research and Defence expertise to develop a concept demonstrator that will show how technology, policy, organisational practices and human-centred design can work together to enhance protective security across Defence and critical infrastructure. Funded through the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Collaborative Research Fund, the project Accelerating Protective Security Capability for Defence and Critical Infrastructure Industries is led by the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C). The project has received $270,000 through the Fund, with partner in-kind contributions bringing the total project value to nearly $800,000. The collaboration brings together Aus3C, Adelaide University, Flinders University, Defence Science and ...

A new state-of-the-art innovation hub – to be known as Defence HQ – will further boost South Australia’s reputation as a powerhouse of defence, space and critical technology capability. Construction of the new facility, underway at Lot Fourteen in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, will also support the nation’s AUKUS endeavours and will become the national corporate headquarters for Australia’s largest defence company, BAE Systems. BAE Systems Chief Executive Officer Craig Lockhart said that the new headquarters would support strong growth for the company over the next three to five years, with the majority of it expected in South ...