Babcock Australasia delivers new fleet of SPUR robots

Babcock Australasia (Babcock) is providing a critical expansion of the counter explosive capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) following the successful delivery of a $16 Million fleet of Squad Packable Utility Robots (SPUR), ready for immediate deployment. The SPUR Remote Positioning Vehicles – Light (RPV-L) will be utilised across tri-service applications for search, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities to mitigate and deny the use of Improvised Explosive Devices and protect Australian soldiers in combat. Babcock led the procurement and customisation of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and ISR robots, working closely with Australian and veteran-owned supply chain partner, EPE Trusted to Protect, to ensure the shipment  meet ADF specifications. EPE provides specialised force protection and counter threat solutions, and has a long-term partnership with QinetiQ, the manufacturer of the SPUR. The procurement has been delivered to schedule following thorough inspection and acceptance testing. At just 13kg, the compact and highly mobile SPUR, can be rapidly deployed from a backpack. Its high-performance manipulator arm, advanced imagery and exceptional manoeuvrability in difficult terrain makes it particularly effective in diverse environments. The SPUR was first introduced into Australian service back in 2022 to assist the Australian Army response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents. Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland said: “These robots significantly enhance situational awareness, acting as a critical line of defence for Australian soldiers in high-threat environments. The successful acquisition and delivery of the SPUR forms part of Babcock’s comprehensive C-CBRNE asset management services under its Prime Vendor Agreement with the ADF. Since securing the contract in 2019, Babcock has grown the remit and output of the program by more than 400 per cent, working closely with Defence and industry to identify capability gaps caused by technology obsolescence, as well as sourcing and acquiring new C-CBRNE tools to sharpen Defence’s counter response to existing and emerging threats. “Much of Babcock’s success is driven by the strength of our supply chain partnerships. Nationwide, we engage some 2,000 domestic suppliers to provide goods and services across our defence and aviation contracts, creating a resilient industry base that is building sovereign capability each and every day,” Cridland said. “EPE is the gold standard of supply chain vendors, which has allowed us to source and deliver a bespoke solution in a timeframe that meets the operational needs of our servicemen and women.” EPE Group CEO Warwick Penrose said: “The partnership between EPE and Babcock creates a powerful synergy. Babcock’s leading asset management systems optimise the processes for acquisition and sustainment, while EPE brings expertise in the specialist Counter-CBRNE domain. The partnership has built sustainable sovereign capability here in Australia to test, acquire, train, maintain and sustain these important capabilities that protect our Defence personnel. The outcome of this collaboration is reduced risk to the Commonwealth.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]