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Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price has announced that Brisbane-based EPE has secured a $300,000 defence contract to protect military and emergency response personnel.
Minister Price announced that Brisbane-based firm EPE has secured a $300,000 Defence contract to help it grow its business. The company specialises in technologies to protect personnel from emerging threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), countering drones and the risk of chemical and biological attacks.
"This contract is a demonstration of how the Australian government’s $200 billion investment over 10 years in Defence capabilities is helping small and medium sized businesses right across Australia," Minister Price said.
Minister Price said funding for the company was awarded through the Defence Innovation Hub’s Special Notice solicitation process as part of Army Innovation Day 2018 (AID18).
"Our investment in Defence is much more than just spending on big companies. EPE is an Australian SME which is working to protect and save lives on the international stage," Minister Price added.
"The Defence Innovation Hub is working with industry to invest around $640 million until 2025-26 in developing innovative technologies."
AID18 was held in October 2018 at the Adams Auditorium, at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. The purpose of AID18 is for selected respondents to display and pitch their proposed innovations to assessors, capability managers and Defence Innovation Hub personnel.
"EPE is an outstanding example of Brisbane leading the way when it comes to new solutions in protective and defensive technologies, doing big things on the world stage," Minister Price explained.
The Army Innovation Day cycle is designed to get leading-edge technology into the hands of soldiers within a 12-month period.
More information about the Defence Innovation Hub can be found here.
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.
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