Aussie enablers secure over $21m in Defence contracts

Joint-capabilities

02 February 2021

By: Charbel Kadib

Aussie enablers secure over $21m in Defence contracts

Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced the awarding of 10 new defence contracts to small businesses and research institutions across Australia, aimed at upgrading the equipment of ADF personnel.

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Defence Innovation Hub (DIH) contracts with a combined value of over $21 million have been awarded to 10 SMEs and organisations across five states.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contracts aim to accelerate the development of advanced technologies for Australian Defence Force personnel.

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“These contracts will enable the development of promising technologies that could help protect and sustain Australian personnel in the field,” she said.

The awards include a previously announced $3.7 million contract to Queensland-based firm Downer EDI Engineering, for the development of technologies to counter improvised explosive devices.

Other recipients include:

Organisation	State VIEW ALL	Contract value (GST incl.)	Description of innovation
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology	VIC	$3.3 million	To develop a smaller lightweight deployable power storage technology for operational environments.
SYPAQ Systems	VIC	$2.9 million	To develop an enhanced imaging capability for diverse applications within a range of military operational environments, using advanced electro-optical sensors across a band of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Spearpoint Solutions & Technology	NSW	$2.7 million	To develop an integrated digital soldier combat helmet system, to provide the future soldier with a significant cutting-edge capability advantage.
Techventure Investments	WA	$1.9 million	To develop a lighter high-velocity long range projectile for the Australian Army.
Florestan Technology	NSW	$1.8 million	To develop a multi-fuel, lightweight portable power generation system for operational environments.
Defendtex Research Labs	VIC	$1.6 million	To develop a lightweight modular shotgun rifle weapon system for improved tactical versatility.
Defendtex Research Labs	VIC	$1.5 million	To develop a next generation body armour with increased ballistics protection.
The University of Western Australia	WA	$1 million	To develop a small lightweight communications system component that will improve performance and accuracy over existing capabilities.
BIA5	QLD	$670,000	To develop an innovative electronic trip flare device for Australian soldiers on the modern battlefield.

Minister Price particularly welcomed the $1.9 million contract awarded to West Australian company Techventure Investments and the $1 million contract awarded to the University of Western Australia.

“I am pleased to see West Australian innovators showing strong potential to provide Defence with game-changing capabilities,” she said.

“These investments demonstrate the importance of Defence’s partnership with the Australian defence industry and innovation sector, and how we can work together to improve capabilities and support available to our ADF personnel.”