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 ...

South Australia’s role at the centre of the AUKUS submarine program has been strengthened, with the Australian Government announcing an additional $4.6 billion investment in the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne. The investment in Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) will support ongoing construction and development across the Osborne precinct as work continues to build the infrastructure, workforce and industrial capability required to deliver Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS. The latest funding builds on the $3.9 billion announced in February, bringing the Australian Government’s investment in the project to $8.5 billion. The Osborne construction yard is a key ...

South Australian defence businesses will have access to a new pilot program designed to strengthen their cyber resilience, improve defence readiness and help unlock new opportunities in defence supply chains across Australia and international markets. The South Australian Defence Industry Cyber Capability Uplift Program will support up to 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the state’s defence sector to better understand the cyber security requirements needed to compete for Defence and global supply chain opportunities. An initiative of Defence SA, the program will be delivered by the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) in partnership with De Stefano & Co ...

Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG), in partnership with Flinders University, has expanded its metal additive manufacturing capability at its Camden Park facility, to support sectors such as defence, space and medical to transition from traditional to advanced manufacturing. The company has added three Renishaw AM400 laser powder bed fusion systems to its production environment, to help meet growing demand for advanced 3D printed components and reduce Australia’s reliance on imported parts. Additive manufacturing uses digitally controlled processes to build components layer by layer, selectively melting metal powder with either an electron beam or a laser to create highly precise, complex ...

South Australian-based Saab Australia has marked a milestone with its 100th Multi-Function Console (MFC) ready for export. Designed, developed and manufactured in Australia, the MFC delivers a naval capability that allows operators to monitor and control multiple complex systems simultaneously from a purpose-built integrated, modern and ergonomic workstation. The MFC is currently in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and navies across Europe and North America. When paired with Saab’s command and control software, it can reduce operator mental load and fatigue during complex missions supporting improved decision-making. Saab Australia’s Managing Director, Andy Keough CSC, explained the milestone reflects ...

Australia has finalised its largest-ever defence export deal, announcing a $2.5 billion agreement to deliver an advanced over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) capability to Canada. The government-to-government arrangement will see Australia’s high-frequency surveillance technology – originally developed by the Defence Science and Technology Group in Adelaide – deployed to establish an Arctic over-the-horizon radar (A-OTHR) system, enhancing Canada’s ability to detect and track threats across vast distances. With demonstrated experience in the full lifecycle support of OTHR capabilities, including the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), BAE Systems Australia will serve as the primary industry partner for both governments, supporting the delivery, integration ...

South Australian-based defence leader KONGSBERG Australia has exported the first batch of Australian-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defence System (CDS) command and control consoles to Europe. Produced at KONGSBERG Australia’s Mawson Lakes facility, the consoles represent a significant step in delivering advanced, locally manufactured defence capability to international markets. Assembled, integrated and tested in South Australia, KONGSBERG Australia Managing Director John Fry said the milestone demonstrated the capability of Australian industry to deliver world-class defence solutions. “This first export delivery is a proud moment for our Australian team and supply chain partners, and our Global Supply Chain Program, demonstrating ...

South Australian technology company Minelab is delivering life-saving capability to defence forces and humanitarian organisations worldwide, producing advanced mine detection systems for some of the world’s most challenging conditions. Part of leading South Australian technology company Codan, Minelab has delivered more than 200 of its MDS-20 mine detectors to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), helping detect and clear landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosive hazards in conflict and post-conflict zones. Designed, engineered and manufactured at Minelab’s Mawson Lakes facility, the advanced handheld system combines metal detection with ground penetrating radar to detect low-metal mines, plastic explosive containers and ...