Australia expects to receive an order of Switchblade 300 precision loitering munitions in 2024 and deploy the weapon into service in 2025 to boost the Australian Defence Force’s drone warfighting capabilities. The acquisition of the munitions, manufactured by U.S. company AeroVironment, adds to the different drone types in the ADF arsenal that can be armed...
The Australian government will invest up to $11.83 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade military bases and defense capabilities in the Northern Territory. The investment under the 2024 Integrated Investment Program supports the latest National Defence Strategy. Pat Conroy, Australian minister for defense industry, said the government is increasing defense spending to provide...
Science, engineering and technology company KBR has been awarded an $85 million contract as capability life cycle manager for the Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious and replenishment vessels at Garden Island, off Western Australia’s southwest coast, the Australian Department of Defence announced Friday. KBR’s tasks include maintaining the RAN’s Canberra-class landing helicopter docks, supply-class auxiliary oilers, and the...
Anduril Australia will deliver a prototype of the Ghost Shark underwater drone to the Royal Australian Navy. Alongside industry partners, Anduril is building the first of three unmanned undersea vehicles co-developed by the Australian Department of Defence under an $89.7 million contract. Shane Arnott, engineering senior vice president at Anduril Industries, noted that up to...
Canberra has published the 2024 Australian Defence Export Catalogue, listing more businesses that deliver defense services and capabilities to foreign customers, an increase of 20 percent from the previous iteration. According to Defence Australia, the business growth reflected in the catalog highlights the federal government’s commitment to helping local defense companies access the international market...
Canberra has begun accepting applications from local defense companies for inclusion in the 2024 edition of a catalog that promotes its products and services to foreign governments. The previous edition of the now-renamed Australian Defence Export Catalogue featured over 250 export-ready products and services. In 2024, renaming the publication reflects “the government’s intent not only...
Richard Marles, Australia’s minister for defense, has introduced in Parliament proposed legislation to tighten the transfer of military technology to foreign interests except AUKUS allies the United States and the United Kingdom. Marles filed the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023 ahead of his U.S. visit to attend the AUKUS Defense Ministers’ Meeting in California. The...
Australia’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator is looking for potential industry and research partners to support its mission of developing new technologies to advance the country’s defense capabilities. ASCA said it requires innovative solutions and skills to boost how the Australian Defence Force conducts military operations and data processing. The collected input will inform efforts to...
Eleven Australian companies are expected to demonstrate uncrewed aerial system prototypes in the Australian Defence Force’s Sovereign UAS Challenge scheduled in April. According to the Australian Minister of Defence’s office, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator is running the innovation contest to supply new capabilities to the ADF. ASCA was formed in May to transition game-changing...
