Kongsberg Defence Australia (KONGSBERG) has signed a contract with Adelaide construction company, Tandem Building Group to build their new purpose-built facility at Technology Park. It follows KONGSBERG’s announcement in October 2022 that it would establish a new home at the Mawson Lakes site to support hardware manufacturing and assembly, along with maintenance and software development to assist in the delivery of defence acquisition programs. General Manager of Kongsberg Defence Australia John Fry said the construction of the company’s new 2500 sqm dedicated facility marks an important milestone for KONGSBERG in Australia. “After the completion of an Early Contractor Involvement phase, ...

South Australia’s defence industry will present a powerful show of innovation and expertise at this year’s Avalon 2023 from 28 February – 5 March 2023. The largest-ever contingent of local defence and space companies will be represented on the South Australia – The Defence State stand at Avalon 2023, showcasing defence capabilities across information warfare, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Joined by the state’s three universities and the Defence Innovation Partnership – the South Australian Government’s catalyst for defence-relevant research – this year’s delegation will demonstrate the innovation and expertise being nurtured locally to build the nation’s sovereign capabilities across the ...

BAE Systems Australia has reinforced their commitment to investing in the next generation of workers by recruiting a record number of graduates across the country, including 50 in South Australia.  The new recruits will be supporting the Hunter class frigate program, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network upgrade and the development of new technologies for the Australian Defence Force. Others across the country will be work across a range of maritime and aerospace sustainment programs and corporate roles. A further 30 apprentices are also set to join the national company later in 2023. Half of these recruits will join the Hunter ...

There’s never been a better time to join South Australia’s defence and space industries, with workers needed now to get started on a lucrative career, spanning decades. Recent research conducted by Defence SA shows that while the defence industry alone in South Australia is expected to need an additional 10,000 people over the next 10 years, not everyone is aware of the career opportunities available in the state. Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price said the highest priority for South Australia is building the workforce needed for large-scale projects, including the nuclear-powered submarines and Hunter Class frigates, as well as ...

Adelaide has become the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to secure hosting rights to leading international maritime, air and space technologies defence event, MAST Australia 2024.   Comprising a number of business gatherings, tradeshows and talent fairs, the three-day event will run from 19-21 November 2024 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. MAST Australia 2024 – which is themed ‘Talent, Technologies, Transfer’ – will explore issues of relevance to the Indo-Pacific region, drawing thousands of senior level government, military representatives and researchers from across the global defence community. A program of high calibre of speakers, technical sessions and exhibitions will ...

South Australia is home to a thriving defence industry, with multi-billion-dollar projects spanning across naval shipbuilding, information warfare and cyber, along with a growing space ecosystem of more than 100 organisations. Recent research conducted by Defence SA shows that while the defence industry alone in South Australia is expected to need an additional 10,000 people over the next 10 years, not everyone is aware of the career opportunities available in the state. Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price said the highest priority for South Australia is building the workforce needed for large-scale projects, including the nuclear submarines and Hunter Class ...

South Australian-based defence manufacturer, XTEK, has secured two Department of Defence grants totalling more than $800,000 that are set to boost production and accelerate product development. The purchase of a new ‘CNC Virtual Machining Centre’ at the company’s Adelaide manufacturing facility will be supported by a $164,268.50 grant from the Defence Global Competitiveness program. The equipment will allow for safer and more complex machining, reducing the cost of outsourcing and improving productivity. This project is set to accelerate new product development and prototyping, with completion expected by 29 October 2023. Meanwhile, a $658,209.20 grant through the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority ...

A new project is seeking to enhance detection and clearance of underwater mines close to shore using autonomous technologies that will improve safety for Navy personnel. The project will design, develop, test and evaluate various teams of micro Autonomous Underwater Vehicle swarms and Autonomous Surface/Subsurface Vessels to provide an autonomous mine clearance capability that operates in the amphibious zone close to shore. The amphibious zone is often extremely difficult to navigate when searching for underwater mines, due to tides, waves and currents, low visibility and a low communications environment. The technology being developed would seek to supplement high-risk activities undertaken ...

A partnership between aerospace giant Boeing and the University of Adelaide is set to assist students studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in 2023. The University of Adelaide Higher Education Relations Grant will be used for sponsorship of student programs and initiatives promoting diversity in STEM, with the intent of inspiring a new pipeline of student talent and technology development. Aiming to benefit approximately 620 students, the grant will support Indigenous students, high school students, women in STEM, students who compete in the Australian Rover Challenge and first year students participating in the University’s design and build challenge. The ...

The Australian Industry & Defence Network – South Australia (AIDN SA) Young Achiever Award 2022 was announced at the annual AIDN SA Christmas and Garden Party last week. Southern Launch Regulatory Lead Eamon Lawson received this year’s honour, selected from a competitive field of nominees. Eamon was recognised for his important contribution to critical law reform to support the development of Australia’s first sovereign end-to-end space capability covering payload development, rocket manufacture and launch into space. Space launch is an important pillar in Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities. Playing a lead role in navigating legislative and regulatory frameworks across projects for Defence directly ...

BAE Systems Australia has been named as a key employment partner for South Australia’s first technical college at Findon. Aligning with the State Government’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering industry focus, the partnership between BAE Systems and the Findon Technical College will ensure a pipeline of skilled workers for the defence and naval shipbuilding industries. The College will offer years 10-12 students the chance to learn in world-class facilities and will provide career pathways to welders, fabricators, computer assisted designers, programmers, robotic technicians and more. Head of Resourcing and Early Careers at BAE Systems, Georgette Elston, said the College is important ...

A new contract has been signed between Osborne based companies ASC and QMS NDT & NACE(QMS) that will see more than 25 local jobs supported through the delivery of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and metal survey services. The new deal will see QMS deliver x-ray and radiographic testing for Collins class submarines as part of the full-cycle docking program. This technology enables precise analysis of the integrity of the structures’ welds, pipe wall thicknesses, and other metallic components without physical disruption and will be used by ASC teams to effectively target maintenance activities. ASC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Stuart ...