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US-based defence technology company Shield AI has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Australia with the official opening of its new headquarters in Melbourne.
The launch also marks a major milestone for the company as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, with the move signalling a significant investment in Australia’s defence capability and builds on Shield AI’s growing collaboration with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and local defence industry.
The launch event was attended by vice president of Vision Systems, Mark Palmer, and vice president of Hivemind Solutions, Christian Gutierrez, reflecting the deepening ties between Australian and US defence innovation sectors.
Mark Palmer, who is based in Australia, said the Melbourne office represents a strong step forward in Shield AI’s partnership with Australia, saying, “The opening of our Melbourne office is a clear demonstration of Shield AI’s commitment to Australia and our intent to be a long-term partner in advancing defence capability.”
Shield AI’s presence in Australia has expanded rapidly, particularly following the company’s 2024 acquisition of Sentient Vision Systems, a Melbourne-based leader in real-time, AI-enabled situational awareness.
The new office opening also coincides with Sentient’s 21st anniversary, with the partnership already delivering tangible results, with successful ADF trials of Sentient’s ViDAR system completed earlier this year.
“Australia is home to some of the most capable AI and autonomy talent in the world,” Gutierrez said. “Our investment here is not just about facilities it’s about building enduring partnerships that contribute to national security and strengthen allied cooperation.”
He added that Shield AI’s focus aligns closely with the ADF’s ongoing modernisation efforts, saying, “As the ADF transitions to a more agile, focused force, Shield AI is investing in proven, deployable technologies to support that transformation. Hivemind Enterprise delivers battle-proven autonomy at scale, powering intelligent mass across the full spectrum of multi-domain operations.”
Shield AI’s new Melbourne base will play a central role in supporting key ADF programs, while also reinforcing Australia’s position as a leader in defence innovation.
The company is actively recruiting to grow its Australian team, with plans to expand from the current 45 employees to 70 over the coming months.
“The launch of our Melbourne office is more than a new location, it’s a commitment to working with and growing Australia’s world-class defence and technology workforce,” Palmer said. “We’re proud to invest in Australian talent to help shape the future of trusted autonomy by Australians, for Australians, and in support of our shared values with global partners.”
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company on a mission to protect service members and civilians through the development of intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision suite.
With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington DC, Abu Dhabi, Kyiv, and now Melbourne, Shield AI’s technologies actively support operations for the United States and allied nations around the world.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
