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Babcock Australasia has been awarded a $42 million extension to its counter chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (C-CBRNE) asset management contract.
The three‑year continuation, through to 2030, extends the collaboration into its second decade and is designed to ensure Defence personnel continue to be equipped with critical force protection and threat response capabilities.
The C-CBRNE program supports 132 asset types and 65,000 individual pieces of equipment used across conventional and special forces. These include explosive ordnance disposal suits; chemical and explosive analysers; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) robots; remote detonation equipment and X‑ray systems.
“This extension ensures Defence personnel continue to benefit from a trusted, long‑term industry partner,” Babcock Australasia Mission and Support Systems managing director Richard Udall said.
“From protective suits to ISR robots, the assets under our management safeguard those who serve. By working alongside Defence, we help ensure capabilities are ready when front-line personnel need them most; staying ahead of emerging threats and closing critical gaps.
“The renewed agreement also strengthens sovereign capability for Defence. With the majority of contract spend directed to Australian suppliers, it enables deeper investment in local industry, expanding our network of small and medium enterprises to deliver new acquisitions and refinements that enhance Defence capability.”
Over the past six years, Babcock has delivered 100 per cent compliance across all Defence Supplier Rating System categories, demonstrating consistent performance and reliability on one of Defence’s most critical contracts.
Supporting Babcock in the delivery and sustainment of this fleet is a network of specialist supply chain partners and in‑country agents, including EPE, J37, Aquaterro and Warsash Scientific. Ninety‑seven per cent of Babcock’s current core contract spend is with these suppliers, reinforcing sovereign capability and strengthening Australian Industry.
Since securing a prime vendor agreement with the Australian Defence Force in 2019, Babcock has expanded the remit and output of the C-CBRNE program by more than 400 per cent. This growth has been achieved by working closely with Defence and industry to identify capability gaps caused by technology obsolescence, while sourcing and acquiring new C-CBRNE tools to sharpen Defence’s counter‑response to existing and emerging threats.
Babcock was awarded Land Business of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2023 and was again named a finalist in 2024 for its consistent delivery of the C-CBRNE program on behalf of the Australian Defence Force.
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