The Australian government is continuing to strengthen Australia’s defence capability by investing in the ideas and expertise of innovative Australian companies and research organisations. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said 10 new Defence Innovation Hub contracts demonstrated Australia’s capacity to drive the development of advanced technologies for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. “This latest tranche of investment in businesses and academia is worth more than A$21 million,” Price said. “These contracts will enable the development of promising technologies that could help protect and sustain Australian personnel in the field.”
The contracts include:
- A A$3.7 million contract with Queensland company Downer EDI Engineering for technologies to counter improvised explosive devices;
- A A$2.7 million contract with New South Wales company Spearpoint Solutions for a digital combat helmet;
- A$3.1 million in contracts with Victorian company Defendtex for next generation body armour and a lightweight modular shotgun system.
“We are also investing in advanced power storage and generation technologies, through a A$3.3 million contract with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a A$1.8 million contract with Florestan Technology in New South Wales,” Price said.
The contracts also include A$1.9 million for West Australian company Techventure Investments to develop a lightweight high-performance projectile, and A$1 million for researchers from the University of Western Australia to develop secure communications system components.
Industry and research organisations can submit innovation proposals through the Defence Innovation Portal here. Contracts announced under the Defence Innovation Hub include:
| Organisation | State | Contract Value (GST incl.) | Description of innovation |
| Downer EDI Engineering Power Pty Ltd | QLD | $3.7 million | To explore next generation integrated counter improvised explosive device technologies to improve Army combatant survivability in complex contested environments. |
| Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
| VIC | $3.3 million
| To develop a smaller lightweight deployable power storage technology for operational environments. |
| SYPAQ Systems Pty Ltd
| VIC | $2.9 million | To develop an enhanced imaging capability for diverse applications within a range of military operational environments, using advanced electro-optical sensors across a band of the electromagnetic spectrum. |
| Spearpoint Solutions & Technology Pty Ltd
| NSW | $2.7 million | To develop an integrated digital soldier combat helmet system, to provide the future soldier with a significant cutting edge capability advantage. |
| Techventure Investments Pty Ltd
| WA | $1.9 million | To develop a lighter high-velocity long range projectile for the Australian Army. |
| Florestan Technology Pty Ltd
| NSW | $1.8 million | To develop a multi-fuel, lightweight portable power generation system for operational environments. |
| Defendtex Research Labs Pty Ltd
| VIC | $1.6 million | To develop a lightweight modular shotgun rifle weapon system for improved tactical versatility. |
| Defendtex Research Labs Pty Ltd
| VIC | $1.5 million | To develop a next generation body armour with increased ballistics protection. |
| The University of Western Australia | WA | $1 million | To develop a small lightweight communications system component that will improve performance and accuracy over existing capabilities. |
| BIA5 Pty Ltd
| QLD | $670,000 | To develop an innovative electronic trip flare device for Australian soldiers on the modern battlefield. |
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