The Australian government has awarded more than A$11 million in grants to 20 Australian small businesses as part of a program that will enhance Australia’s sovereign defence industry. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the latest funding support awarded through the Sovereign Industrial Capability Grants Program will also boost innovation and investment in Australian Defence Force capability. “These grants make a vital contribution to growing Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base,” Price said. “The Morrison Government is committed to safeguarding the livelihoods of all Australians, including small businesses within the defence sector.”
The Sovereign Industrial Capability Grants Program helps drive innovation in small businesses and make them more competitive, especially in the face of COVID-19 challenges. “This funding will allow for even greater cooperation and innovation activities across industry and with Defence.” Price said. “For example, WA-based Franmarine Underwater Services is contributing to our Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise by establishing a new facility to better support underwater maintenance activities. Franmarine’s investment will improve the effectiveness and speed of maintenance activities, helping keep our critical naval vessels available for deployment. Grant applications can be made at any time and can be submitted through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability.
The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants announced Wednesday include:
| Company | Grant Amount | Grant Funding Purpose | State |
| Phasor Innovation | $98,138 | Establish a specialised radio frequency laboratory to enhance testing and design capabilities. | VIC |
| Athinian Valley | $189,654 | Fund plant and equipment that will increase technical capability and capacity. | SA |
| Indra Australia | $146,772 | Establish a secure facility to enable collaboration with Defence and other businesses in the defence sector. | NSW |
| Clearbox Systems | $202,570 | Upgrade security of is facilities to enable enhanced capabilities when developing sensitive technologies. | ACT |
| Q-Ctrl | $468,645 | Hiring of appropriately qualified staff and purchase software to enable the development of electronic warfare capabilities. | NSW |
| Franmarine Underwater Services | $949,171 | Establish a facility to service Royal Australian Navy vessels in maintenance activities. | WA |
| Holmwood Highgate | $1,000,000 | Enhance their ability to manufacture bulk liquid transport equipment serving the commercial, aviation and defence industries. | QLD |
| Aurumtown | $1,000,000 | Upgrade their facilities to increase storage and manufacturing capabilities. | VIC |
| Mactaggart Scott Australia | $267,377 | Enhance its ability to deliver enhanced submarine testing capabilities. | SA |
| Team Zenith | $1,000,000 | Upgrade capital equipment and increase productivity. | SA |
| RUAG Australia | $918,935 | Enhance manufacture of aerospace platform components. | VIC |
| Agent Oriented Software | $510,634 | Enhance ability to test future generation of ADF autonomous, unmanned ground vehicles. | VIC |
| Precision Metal Group | $1,000,000 | Enhance ability to manufacture specialised metal components. | NSW |
| Supacat | $541,153 | Enhance ICT security infrastructure, design engineering capabilities and supply chain integration. | VIC |
| Southern Launch | $128,977 | Develop an overland rocket test range to support sub-orbital launches and satellite recovery for testing and validation of rockets and satellite subsystems. | SA |
| MultiMedia Concepts | $137,513 | Enhance its ability to produce bespoke computer-based training and simulations. | NSW |
| BMP Engineering | $757,282 | Enhance ability to engineer and manufacture complex and precision Defence, Aerospace and munitions components. | VIC |
| IKAD Engineering | $1,000,000 | Enhance ability to manufacture complex components to support Continuous shipbuilding program and Collins class submarine SICPs. | WA |
| Vipac Engineers and Scientists | $164,950 | Purchase and commission of a Shock Testing System to enhance shock test capabilities. | VIC |
| Boss Investments Australia | $132,686 | Purchase of an edge rounding machine to enhance capability to manufacture precision sheet metal components. | QLD |
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