Australia backs Canberra electronic warfare companies

The Australian government is investing in local innovation and a future made in Australia by backing two Canberra companies to continue developing electronic warfare technology under a program set up to produce critical capabilities for all three AUKUS nations. The government announced Advanced Design Technology (ADT) and Penten had entered into contracts with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), following successful participation in the first AUKUS Innovation Challenge. The contracts – worth more than $8 million – will provide critical financial support to the two companies to continue their groundbreaking work while also securing more than 150 local jobs. This funding will assist the development and demonstration of electronic warfare prototypes that address Australian Defence Force (ADF) operating requirements and show the important contribution that Australian industry is making in developing advanced electronic warfare capabilities, including as part of AUKUS Pillar II. These capabilities allow joint AUKUS forces to generate superior situational awareness and communicate effectively across all domains in contested environments – even when an adversary might attempt to blind our awareness or block timely command and control capability. Launched in 2024, the AUKUS Innovation Challenge Series connects all three AUKUS partners to the very best technology, leveraging each nation’s comparative advantages and delivering cutting-edge capabilities to our defence forces. Additional information on the AUKUS Pillar II EW Innovation Challenge is available at www.asca.gov.au. Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “I look forward to seeing the cutting-edge capabilities ADT and Penten will deliver for the Australian Defence Force and AUKUS to secure a competitive advantage and deter potential threats to regional security. The AUKUS Innovation Challenge Series is a powerful example of how ASCA is accelerating advanced capabilities for our ADF while ensuring local innovators are at the forefront of Australia’s growing sovereign industrial base. Through ASCA, the Government is demonstrating how Pillar II is delivering for AUKUS militaries, in partnership with Australian industry.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]