British multinational aerospace and defence company, Rolls-Royce Submarines, has committed to supporting South Australia’s leading role in Pillar 1 of the AUKUS trilateral security pact. Rolls-Royce Submarines and the South Australian government signed a memorandum of understanding at DSEI UK on Wednesday 10 September, outlining a commitment to collaborate on workforce development, skills training, and critical technologies. The commitment highlights the criticality of both entities to Pillar 1’s success with Rolls-Royce to provide the nuclear reactor plants that will power the South Australian-built SSN-AUKUS fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Rolls-Royce has powered Britain’s Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines for more ...

South Australian defence and space companies now have a dedicated base in the heart of London, with the South Australian Government establishing a new Defence and Space Landing Pad for businesses looking to expand in the UK. Local companies will have access to offices and a boardroom through the Landing Pad, helping them strengthen relationships with industry partners and launch into the UK market. The Landing Pad is part of the state government’s broader strategy to help South Australian industry connect with global supply chains and capitalise on opportunities created through the AUKUS partnership. Support will also be available on ...

South Australian defence companies are strengthening ties with the UK as part of a trade mission ahead of one of the world’s largest defence events. The delegation, led by Defence SA, is in the UK this week to take part in industry forums before the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition, which attracts global defence leaders and primes. Held from 9-12 September in London, DSEI is one of the world’s premier defence and security exhibitions, attracting more than 45,000 attendees and delegations from over 90 countries. For local industry, the pre-event mission is about positioning South Australian capability ...

Unique technology by South Australian-based Acacia Systems will contribute to the work on cutting-edge counter-drone capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under the Australian Government’s $1.3 billion LAND 156 program. Acacia Systems, located at Hendon, is a long-standing partner of Leidos Australia which was this week awarded a $45.9 million contract as the LAND 156 Systems Integration Partner , tasked to acquire and deliver Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System capability. As part of the Leidos Australia-led consortium, Acacia Systems will contribute one of its flagship Australian-made products, the Cortex Mission Management System, to the ADF for a project to demonstrate ...

Adelaide-headquartered Defence prime Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has announced the opening of its new $7 million production and test facility at Woodville North. The facility will play a key role in the company’s upgrade and enhancement of the Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS or JP9101) and support of other defence projects like AUKUS. The custom-built facility adds additional capability to Babcock’s overall footprint in Woodville North as part of its cutting-edge, $31 million Defence-accredited facility which opened in October 2024. Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland said the latest expansion, which supported 100 jobs during the six-month construction phase, will offer ...

Four South Australian companies are among the first group of suppliers to be shortlisted by H&B Defence to determine their readiness to export into the US submarine and aircraft carrier supply chains. South Australian companies Intercast, Castech, Axiom, and Supashock are among 12 businesses from across five Australian states selected to undergo capability testing in the coming months to determine their suitability for H&B Defence’s two-year Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification (AUSSQ) Pilot Program. Australian companies that qualify from the pilot program will be eligible to compete for contract opportunities at Newport News Shipbuilding, a major US shipyard where nuclear-powered aircraft ...

BAE Systems Australia has welcomed a major contract extension to provide in-service periscope support for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) six Collins Class submarines. Headquartered in South Australia, BAE Systems Australia has manufactured, sustained and upgraded the periscope systems for the Collins fleet for the life of their service, with staff at the company’s purpose-built facility in Mawson Lakes playing a key role in delivering the sovereign capability. The contract will ensure continuation of maintenance and logistics services, engineering and supply support and program management of 16 periscope systems across the company’s facilities in both South Australia and Western Australia. ...

South Australian-made guided weapons systems will soon be exported to countries across Europe including Poland, Spain, and Denmark following a major Federal Government announcement. The announcement of two major export deals by Kongsberg Defence Australia, worth a combined $80 million, was made on Thursday at the company’s production facility at Mawson Lakes’ Technology Park. Under the landmark export deal, a $30 million contract will see Kongsberg Defence Australia deliver Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System Command and Control Consoles to Poland, the first such export contract since the company was added to the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program last year. ...

A new strategic partnership will see South Australia become the Indo-Pacific service centre for specialised aeronautical life support equipment manufactured by US company Life Support International (LSI). Under the partnership, BiORG, a South Australian veteran-owned company specialising in defence support systems and logistics, will manage the day-to-day operation of LSI’s new maintenance facility at Elizabeth and provide ongoing specialist maintenance of LSI’s flagship product, UNI-PAC III. UNI-PAC III is an air-deployable search and rescue system designed to save lives at sea when a ship is too far away for immediate assistance. It contains a 20-person life raft and survival aids ...

DEWC Services' Jesse Jones has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Australian Defence Industry Network (AIDN) SA Young Achiever Award. Now in its 19th year, the Young Achiever Award recognises the exceptional contributions of young professionals under 30 who are making a meaningful impact in the defence industry. Four emerging leaders were nominated for the award, each demonstrating passion and a commitment to advancing Australia’s defence capabilities. Jesse has worked at DEWC Services for four years, having started his career as an engineering graduate and progressing into his current role of Software Engineer Consultant where he works primarily ...

Four South Australian organisations are set to receive a combined total of nearly $2 million through the latest $17.3 million round of the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development Grants Program. Designed to support small and medium enterprises, the program funds projects that enhance Australia’s defence manufacturing capabilities and increase export competitiveness whilst supporting local jobs and bolstering national security. The four dedicated funding streams within the program, sovereign industrial priorities, exports, security and skilling, provide support for industry across acquisition and commissioning, international accreditations, skills development and security posture implementation and maintenance. The following south Australian recipients have secured funding ...

BAE Systems Australia has awarded a 10-year contract to Australian naval contractor Eptec Defence Solutions to supply critical abrasive blast and paint services to the Hunter Class Frigate Program. With a team based at South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, Eptec has been providing blast and paint services to the Royal Australian Navy for over 25 years. The contract with BAE Systems Australia is the largest in Eptec’s history and will see the company support the first three Hunter class anti-submarine warships, being constructed at the Osborne. Paul Berryman, Acting Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime Australia, said the company was looking forward to a strong ...