Ten South Australian companies will share in more than $2.78 million through the first round of the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development Grants.

Designed to assist small to medium enterprises build the nation’s sovereign capability, the grants focus on export, skilling, security, and sovereign industrial priorities. Recipients are using the funding to strengthen security postures, acquire advanced manufacturing equipment and upskill employees.

The South Australian recipients are:

• Axiom Precision Manufacturing will receive $1 million to acquire a hydroform press to manufacture complex sheet metal components used across naval shipbuilding, guided weapons and aircraft.
• Mincham Aviation will receive $891,621 to acquire a computerised numeric control (CNC) machine, CNC profile cutters and additional equipment to support the manufacturing of aircraft components.
• Rosebank Engineering will receive $254,261 to purchase and install equipment for the F/A-18F Super Hornet sustainment and surface treatment capabilities.
• McMahon Metal Fabrication will receive $225,529 to acquire a CNC brake press and collaborative robot welding machine for fabricating aluminium components for surface and sub-surface vessels.
• Asset Reliability Inspections will receive $101,712 to train technicians in non-destructive testing, supporting maritime defence maintenance and productions.
• Century Engineering will receive $81,916 to obtain and upskill technical and engineering skills in manufacturing and cyber security for naval shipbuilding.
• MG Engineering will receive $75,038 to enhance heavy naval fabrication skills, specifically for manufacturing complex Defence naval platform components.
• Valley Precise Global will receive $58,939 in order to increase physical and personal security to meet Defence requirements.
• QPE Advanced Machining will receive $55,443 to purchase and install advanced security equipment to meet Defence requirements.
• AML3D will receive $36,036 to enhance security controls, to protect manufacturing technology and supply chains.

Overall, more than 50 Australian companies received 58 grants worth a total of $16.5 million via the funding scheme, with more than 16 per cent allocated to South Australian organisations. This investment underscores South Australia’s growing role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Honourable Pat Conroy MP, explained the funds will provide vital support to the people making critical contributions to our national security.

“The new Defence Industry Development Grants initiative creates one cohesive program, contributing to a stronger and more resilient sovereign defence industry that is able to meet the challenges of the future,” Minister Conroy said.

Learn more about the Defence Industry Development Grants at business.gov.au.