South Australia has been confirmed as the home of Australia’s next-generation submarine build, in what will be the most transformative industrial endeavour in the nation’s history. On 14 March 2023, the Optimal Pathway for Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability was announced as part of the AUKUS partnership. Known as SSN-AUKUS – the trilaterally-developed submarine will be an evolution of the United Kingdom’s Astute class submarine and incorporate the very best of Australian, United States and United Kingdom technology. Australia and the United Kingdom will operate SSN-AUKUS submarines as their submarine of the future with two production lines – ...

Four South Australian manufacturing companies have partnered under a new global brand to offer integrated sovereign manufacturing services to the aerospace and defence industry. Officially launching at Avalon 2023, Hephaestus Global comprises two independent defence manufacturing organisations, Toolcraft Australia and Mitchell & Cheesman, as well as engineering companies, Carr Components and Sharman Sheetmetal & Fabrication. With a mission to support a robust manufacturing industry and grow local employment, Hepahaestus Global will leverage the collective capabilities of the subsidiaries to create innovative and sustainable solutions. The group’s capabilities cover the manufacturing process from design to delivery, including: tooling and engineering machining ...

The South Australia – The Defence State stand was bustling with activity at the Avalon 2023 tradeshow, with the state’s largest-ever contingent of defence and space companies on display at the record-breaking event. Hosted by Defence SA, more than 50 organisations participated on this year’s South Australian stand, showcasing defence capabilities across information warfare, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The state’s space sector was also represented, demonstrating industry’s satellite manufacturing, launch and space surveillance capabilities. Industry was joined by the state’s three universities and the Defence Innovation Partnership – the South Australian Government’s catalyst for defence-relevant research – which provided a ...

An impressive cohort of 36 South Australian university students have taken the next step in their defence industry careers, graduating from the highly regarded Defence Industry Scholarship Program. The South Australian Government-funded scholarship program, administered by AiGroup, provides eligible university students with grants of up to $10,000 to undertake work placements at a local defence company. The graduation ceremony held at Edinburgh-based manufacturer, AML3D, recognised students who have completed their defence industry placement across a range of roles, gaining in-demand skills, knowledge and experience through work-based learning opportunities. Having supported students as a participating host company, AML3D Chief Executive Ryan ...

South Australian Electronic Warfare (EW) specialist, DEWC Services, is helping advance the nation’s airborne early warning and control aircraft, the E-7A Wedgetail. The company is supporting the mid-life upgrade project that will provide cutting-edge air battle management capabilities to support the fifth-generation battlespace. With a strong track record of solving complex EW related problems for the Australian Defence Force, DEWC Services is leveraging its expertise to support a major upgrade of the signals intelligence, survivability and mission data capabilities of the Wedgetail as part of Wedgetail Project AIR5077 Phase 6. This will include providing technical expertise on enhancements to mission ...

Adelaide-based aerospace manufacturer, Aerobond Pty Ltd, has partnered with local cybersecurity firm Secure State to help access lucrative Defence opportunities with the US. Aerobond offer CASA-approved production and maintenance capability and specialist component services to military, civil operators and OEMs. As the company pursues growth in Defence – including with US primes – it has recognised the need to join the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) and gain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Secure State is the only internationally Registered Provider Organisation able to offer consulting and implementation services for Australian businesses that require CMMC – a program designed to ...

Leading European defence company MBDA has joined the growing list of defence companies taking up residence in South Australia’s Lot Fourteen innovation district. The company will establish a new Australian office at the Defence and Space Landing Pad, a one-stop-shop that supports the relocation of international companies to South Australia. A world-leader in the field of guided weapons and missile systems, MBDA has a long history of involvement in Australian defence projects, having supported the Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) program for the Royal Australian Air Force. MBDA Group Business Development Director Paul Mead said the company’s ...

BAE Systems Australia has unveiled Australia’s first domestically designed, manufactured and armed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Uncrewed Air System (UAS) on the first day of the 2023 Avalon Airshow. STRIX™ is a hybrid, tandem wing, multi-domain and multi-role UAS capability that could be used for a variety of missions including air to ground strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or as a ‘loyal wingman’ for military helicopters. Designed to carry up to a 160 kg payload over 800 km, STRIX will be capable of operating in high-risk environments and be able to be transported via standard shipping, removing reliance on ...

Adelaide-based defence company elmTEK has been selected by the Department of Defence to deliver state-of-the-art ‘Human-In-the-Loop’ simulation technology, under Phase 2 of Joint Project 500 (JP500). Set to  improve outcomes for troops in combat situations, Human-in-the-Loop is a type of simulation that immerses a human operator into a conflict environment and collects data on how they interact and respond to different operational scenarios using Emulated Military Equipment. The scenarios enable equipment to be tested for efficacy, and tactical and countermeasure approaches to be optimised, resulting in better real-life outcomes for our troops. The simulation is capable of creating life-like physical effects ...

South Australian electronic warfare company DEWC Services has been recognised as a top graduate employer as part of the 2023 Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) Top Graduate Employers list. DEWC Services was the only small to medium business in the state and one of only three South Australian-headquartered companies recognised on the list, which is based on first-hand ratings and feedback from graduates who spend at least 12 months with an employer. Developed in late 2020 to boost local talent across the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) and cyber workforce, DEWC’s Graduate Development Program upskills graduates across ...

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 ...