With Australian Cyber Week underway, the Australian Government has opened applications for more than $60 million in grant funding through round two of the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund. Aiming to increase the nation’s cyber security capabilities and workforce, the grants will support innovative projects by enhancing partnerships between industry, education providers and governments. The government is seeking projects that will improve the diversity of Australia’s cyber security workforce, in particular projects that could boost participation of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people in regional and remote areas, and those with neurodiverse backgrounds. The development of specialist ...

Defence has opened the tender for the upgrades and sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart class destroyers at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. The tender, which calls for a Capability Life Cycle Manager, will see the successful applicant appointed to provide industry support and sustain the destroyers over the vessels’ lifespan, including delivering upgrades to the combat management system. The Australian Government’s plans to invest up to $5.1 billion toward upgrades at Osborne Naval Shipyard as part of a major expansion of Australia’s naval capabilities was announced in September. An industry briefing is expected to be held on 4 November ...

Local defence company XTEK is set to produce specialist ballistic armour products for the United States government at their Adelaide manufacturing facility. A US$1.1 million (AUD$1.5 million) purchase from an undisclosed US government department includes hard armour plates and ballistic helmets. The company’s Manufacturing and R&D Centre in Adelaide primarily focuses on the development of XTclave ballistic armour and lightweight composite technologies, making it an ideal site for producing high-quality frontline combatant products to protect personnel. Production will be shared across XTEK’s Adelaide, Columbus and Ohio facilities. The order is expected to be delivered towards the end of the 2022 ...

A new pilot program to uplift the cyber resilience of small businesses in the defence supply chain will help local SMEs secure defence contracts and improve market competitiveness. AustCyber nodes in South Australia and Queensland have partnered with Victorian-based Cynch, to pilot a cyber fitness program with targeted defence SMEs in each state that will address the cyber security resilience needs of the defence supply chain. The project will provide access to a reputable program of quality cyber security training and support intended to result in cyber hygiene uplift, which protects businesses against the loss of time, money, private information ...

Four South Australian companies are set to receive up to $300,000 each as part of a Federal Government grant aiming to solve some of the defence sector’s biggest capability challenges. Announced today by Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price, a total of 10 Australian companies will share in almost $3 million of funding as part of Defence’s Industry Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (iCERA) under the Next Generation Technology Fund (NGTF) initiative. With a focus on delivering game-changing capability for Defence, the South Australian recipients will use the funds to develop technology in the following areas: Operational Systems - cyber Daronmont ...

A leading South Australian industrial refrigeration specialist that supplies equipment to the Australian Navy has been awarded key safety and quality certification, further supporting the company’s growth in the defence sector. Cold Logic recently secured accreditation for its quality management systems (ISO 9001) and OH&S management systems (45001) from certification body TQCSI. The industrial refrigeration and controlled environment sector supplier is now the only wholly Australian-owned company providing Australian designed and built equipment to Defence to receive the certification. Cold Logic’s manager for Defence Business & RnD, Dr Michael Riese said the company’s accreditation success demonstrates the company’s commitment to ...

Defence SA has received an Employer Support Award (SA) for outstanding support of Australian Defence Force reservists within the Public Sector. Nominated by ADF reservists, the awards are presented to organisations who are committed to supporting Navy, Army and Air Force reservists over a sustained period or through special efforts. As a Government agency, Defence SA has a long history of employing ex-full time Defence members, many of whom continue Reserve careers while pursuing their civilian careers. This is achieved through various pathways including Reserve Leave, advertising to the veteran community and encouraging other staff members to participate in activities ...

Following the announcements regarding the expansion of naval shipbuilding programs in South Australia, ASC has launched the Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool for skilled workers impacted by the industry changes. ASC says options to re-deploy displaced workers throughout South Australia’s current and planned shipbuilding programs are being explored, as well as plans to build the skills crucial for the nuclear-powered submarines program announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week. This talent pool will provide affected employees with the opportunity to transition into positions within ASC, ensuring the shipbuilding workforce is maintained whilst developing new skills necessary. “ASC is committed to ...

MEDIA RELEASE South Australia has today been cemented as the shipbuilding capital of the country with thousands of jobs for today, tomorrow and decades to come. The new nuclear-powered submarines will be built in South Australia as announced by the Prime Minister early this morning. And in another momentous declaration that South Australia is the home of defence – the Collins class full-cycle docking will remain at Osborne. The Collins life-of-type extension will now continue beyond 2026 as all six boats undergo capability extensions in South Australia. In another huge win for local jobs, the Navy’s three Hobart class destroyers ...

Kongsberg Defence Australia has announced their team has achieved a critical production milestone for the LAND 19 Phase 7B program, passing Factory Acceptance Tests of the first two Fire Distribution Centres (FDC) for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missiles Systems (NASAMS). As part of the program — which sees the FDCs being assembled at the Raytheon Centre for Joint Integration at Mawson Lakes — Kongsberg Defence Australia is supporting Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace and prime contractor Raytheon Australia to deliver the new Short-Range Ground-Based Air Defence capability to the Australian Army. The NASAMS system will enable the Army to ...

As the Australian defence industry prepares for the Naval Shipbuilding Plan, having a workforce that is well trained and informed is critical to defence industry capability. No matter if you are just starting out in the industry or would like to upskill and refresh your knowledge around maritime assets and systems, international engineering, science and technology consultancy BMT offers a wide range of courses for individuals taught by experts. With experience as both operators and designers of defence systems, BMT’s experts provide detailed insights into the process for design and management of warships and submarines. Keen to find out more? ...

A $1.2 million grant for Australia's defence sector has been announced by Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, this morning. The grant has been designed to support the growth and export opportunities of six Australian businesses within the industry, including two South Australian companies: JTM Gaskets and ElectroCad Australia. JTM Gaskets are set to receive $211,260 which will be put towards purchasing new equipment in order to increase production volumes. Electro Cad will receive $240,000 to install a clean room and purchase equipment allowing them to manufacture complex defence components. Read the full story here.   Image Credit: ElectroCad Australia