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Ten local firms have secured defence contracts as part of a broader investment in the protection and promotion of critical technologies in Australia’s national interest.
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The Commonwealth government has issued a combined $10 million in defence contracts to local firms across Australia via the Defence Innovation Hub (DIH).
The contracts aim to support the development of a sovereign critical technology capability in artificial intelligence (AI).
Among the recipients are South Australia-based companies Simbiant and Lumination.
Simbiant has secured $2.2 million to develop a radio frequency generation, detection, characterisation and classification system leveraging AI technology.
Lumination has received $1.9 million to develop an immersive, portable visualisation platform designed to deliver AI augmented scenarios using virtual reality and training simulation technology.
Other contract recipients include:
| Organisation | State | Investment Value (GST incl.) | Description of innovation |
| Solinnov | SA | $1.4 million | To develop a portable radio frequency monitoring solution through the development of machine learning technology to identify, classify and locate radio frequency emitters in complex operating environments. |
| Droneshield | NSW | $945,000 | To develop an AI enabled software to detect, track, classify and relay contact signals from multiple input feeds, and provide a combined output to the operator. |
| Mellori Solution | NSW | $920,000 | To develop an innovative software application to automate radio frequency analysis from multiple sensors across the electromagnetic spectrum. |
| Ignition Immersive | VIC | $914,000 | To develop a system that enables the generation of photorealistic imagery in a virtual reality environment using AI to do this automatically, in real-time. |
| Real Response | VIC | $669,000 | To develop a highly realistic medical care training simulator using AI that could enhance training and learning by adjusting the complexity of training scenarios based on visual and biometric feedback from the trainee. |
| CAE Australia | NSW | $644,000 | To develop a deployable augmented reality 3D virtual modelling tool that is designed to assist Defence with AI enabled decision support to planning. |
| CruxML | NSW | $946,000 | To develop a real-time Specific Emitter Identification system using advanced machine learning algorithms and new techniques in computer architectures to achieve identification and classification of radio frequency signals in real time. |
| Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems | NSW | $464,000 | To develop an easily deployable Electronic Support Measure system that enables the Sensor Association Fusion Engine (SAFE) technology to form a common operating picture from multiple sensors. |
“These contracts will help develop exciting and new AI technologies,” Minister for Defence Industry and Science and Technology Melissa Price said.
“This will be achieved through the use of Defence’s intelligence mission data to improve situational awareness, and intelligent virtual reality to enhance simulation, modelling and training for our ADF personnel.
“Overall, these technologies have the potential to improve how our military train and operate.”
These investments form part of the government’s new Blueprint for Critical Technologies — a vision for protecting and promoting critical technologies in Australia’s national interest.
The plan focuses on balancing the economic opportunities of critical technologies with their national security risks.
The initiative is underpinned by four key policy objectives, which include:
- No regrets — low‐cost actions that build resilience, regardless of the scale of the problem;
- Responsive support — bolstering market resilience;
- Pre-emptive support — early and targeted action where a disruption to a critical technology is expected to significantly impact the national interest; and
- On-shoring and restrictions — actions that directly regulate economic and social activity and/or divert resources from areas backed by private investment.
The blueprint cites seven key critical technologies in the national interest:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing;
- AI, computing and communications;
- Biotechnology, gene technology, and vaccines;
- Energy and environment;
- Quantum technologies;
- Sensing, timing, and navigation; and
- Transportation, robotics, and space.
In addition to the DIH contracts, the government announced it is investing $111 million to support the commercialisation, adoption and use of quantum technology.
The investment includes $70 million for the Quantum Commercialisation Hub to foster strategic partnerships with “likeminded countries”.
This aims to both commercialise Australia’s quantum research and facilitate access to new markets and investors for local businesses.
The investment also involves the development of a National Quantum Strategy and quantum technologies prospectus, designed to align industry and government efforts and generate greater private sector investment.
A National Committee on Quantum will also be set up to help guide the strategy.
The committee will be comprised of a group of industry stakeholders and experts, led by Australia’s chief scientist, Dr Cathy Foley.
“This investment will help secure future economic opportunities for Australian businesses, create local jobs and importantly, it will help keep Australians safe,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
The quantum technology initiative is estimated to deliver $4 billion in economic value and create 16,000 new jobs by 2040.
Minister Price said the investment would offer new defence industry, scientific and economic opportunities for Australia.
“Australia is a world leader in quantum,” she said.
“These investments will enhance our global reputation and help us work with other like-minded countries to develop this critical technology.
“This is a fantastic technology that will improve our lives and transform our industries like finance, communications, energy, health, mining, manufacturing and agriculture.”
Minister for the Digital Economy Jane Hume added, “The global quantum industry is expected to be worth at least $86 billion by 2040, and I’m determined to see Australians secure their share of those jobs and economic activity.
“By embracing and fostering this technology we can increase the power of computing, as well as help create more reliable navigation and more secure communications.
“It’s the logical extension of our investment in digitisation and a focus of the Digital Economy Strategy.”
[Related: Industry secures $20m in Defence Innovation Hub contracts]
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.
