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Eleven local defence companies have secured a combined $8 million in grants to fund the development of their manufacturing capability.
Moog Australia and EPE are among 11 local defence companies to receive funding as part of the Commonwealth government’s latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) grants.
The grants aim to fund the enhancement of local manufacturing capability in support of a broader push to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for military equipment and services.
Of the recipients, Queensland-based EPE has secured the largest grant ($1.4 million) to support the development of unmanned systems providing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives (CBRNe) sensor test and assurance capabilities.
Victoria-based Moog Australia’s $209,772 grant is expected to be used to acquire and install new manufacturing equipment.
Other grant recipients include:
|
Company |
Grant Amount |
Grant Funding Purpose |
State |
|
Diamond Defence |
$290,990 |
Expansion of fibre-optic manufacturing capability at its Melbourne facility. Will enable locally manufactured, high-performance military-spec fibre-optic assemblies and harnesses which are not currently available in Australia. |
VIC |
|
Novafast International |
$1,366,962 |
Support the acquisition and installation of new robotics equipment for new manufacturing technologies in composite products. |
SA |
|
Varley Rafael Australia |
$183,022 |
Expansion of current guided weapons capabilities by setting up and commissioning a SPIKE Launcher assembly line, by upgrading facilities and associated security measures. |
VIC |
|
HTA Group |
$1,069,479 |
Support the acquisition and installation of specialist equipment for defence and aerospace compliant vacuum hardening processes in Victoria and NSW. |
VIC/NSW |
|
Australian Precision Technologies |
$1,054,137 |
Expansion and update of specialist equipment and current facilities for precision machining and milling. |
VIC |
|
Able Industries Engineering |
$1,395,344 |
Purchase, construct, install and commission new capital equipment, implement workforce training, skills development and quality accreditation. |
VIC |
|
Able Industries Engineering |
$331,450 |
Completed required building modifications to enhance the company’s ability to manufacture key components. |
VIC |
|
Abstec Calibrations Australia |
$185,117 |
Extension of existing laboratory area to meet increased demand from defence industry and to improve their National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) scope of accreditation. |
SA |
|
GW Kewder Engineering |
$294,000 |
Investment in specialist machining tools to continue to support the manufacture of precision components. |
VIC |
|
Campagno Engineering |
$609,266 |
Acquire and install specialist equipment. |
VIC |
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price congratulated the recipients, noting their contributions to the growth of Australia’s sovereign industrial base.
“Their dedication and foresight is enabling the Australian Defence Force to maintain its leading edge,” Minister Price added.
“We’re helping local businesses to build resilient critical supply chains in an increasingly uncertain strategic environment.”
Since the SICP grants program was first established in November 2018, 99 grants have been awarded to Australian small and medium businesses, with a combined value of $55.6 million.
“The SICP grants not only enable businesses to improve their competitiveness, but develop new and valuable capabilities,” Minister Price said.
“This opens up new opportunities for local businesses to become involved in our commitment to develop a strong, sustainable and secure defence industry.”
[Related: Defence issues export grants to SMEs]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
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