The Australian government is continuing to support growth and export opportunities in Australia’s defence sector through the Defence Global Competitiveness grants program. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced more than $1.2 million in grant funding to boost the export capability of six Australian small businesses.
“Small businesses that develop some of the most innovative and world-leading defence capabilities are the backbone of Australia’s industrial base,” Price said. “From acquiring new specialist components, to manufacturing engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, or making new static targets for international customers, these six small businesses are expanding into global markets, generating local jobs and strengthening the sovereign industrial base on which Defence relies.”
Orbital Corporation in Western Australia received $195,624 to expand its production capability for propulsion systems and flight componentry for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, to meet increasing global export market demand. Brisbane-based business, Gaardtech, will use its grant of $166,000 to buy new equipment and increase its dedicated fabrication capabilities. The new equipment will allow Gaardtech to increase its ability to meet further demand for international exports. Victorian business, Trakka Corp, will use its $193,192 grant to acquire specialist equipment to perform in-house environmental stress screening for components they produce. This will enhance Trakka’s quality assurance process and increase their export potential.
JTM Gaskets in South Australia received $211,260 to buy new equipment, allowing it to produce a higher volume of products and expand into new export markets. Also in South Australia, Electro Cad Australia will use its grant of $240,000 to install a dedicated clean room, and buy new equipment to manufacture complex defence components, growing export orders with international Defence companies. Repetition Engineering (trading as Challenge Engineering) in New South Wales will use its $240,000 grant to purchase specialist machinery and manufacture new machined components for export.
“The increasing overseas demand these Australian small businesses are experiencing is a testament to their world-leading ingenuity and capability,” Price said. “By supporting these companies to invest in new equipment or to increase their manufacturing capabilities, it is enabling them to increase their production capabilities and offer more competitive priced equipment internationally.”
Companies can apply for a Defence Global Competitiveness Grant at any time through www.business.gov.au/dgc.
| Company | Grant Amount (excl. GST) | Grant Funding Purpose | State |
| Orbital Corporation | $195,624 | Expand current production capability of propulsion systems and flight componentry for tactical UAVs. | WA |
| Gaardtech | $166,000 | Increase fabrication capabilities allowing the business to produce a higher volume of products. | QLD |
| Trakka Corp | $193,192 | Acquire equipment to perform Environmental Stress Screening for components produced in-house. | VIC |
| JTM Gaskets | $211,260 | Purchase new equipment, allowing JTM to produce a higher volume of products. | SA |
| Electro Cad Australia | $240,000 | Install a clean room, and purchase equipment to manufacture complex defence components. | SA |
| Repetition Engineering | $240,000 | Procure additional machinery, enabling the manufacture of machined components for export. | NSW |
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