Australian companies are continuing to strengthen their defence manufacturing capability with support and financial assistance from the government. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced more than $8 million in support to 11 Australian businesses through the latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) grants.
“These grant recipients are making crucial investments to improve their manufacturing capabilities, which is supporting Australia’s sovereign industrial base,” Price said. “Their dedication and foresight is enabling the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to maintain its leading edge. We’re helping local businesses to build resilient critical supply chains in an increasingly uncertain strategic environment.”
The grants are expected to improve domestic manufacturing capabilities, which helps build Australia’s sovereign industrial capacity to support the ADF. Price said she wanted to see more Australian small businesses thrive. “The SICP grants not only enable businesses to improve their competitiveness, but develop new and valuable capabilities. This opens up new opportunities for local businesses to become involved in our commitment to develop a strong, sustainable and secure defence industry.”
Since the grants program’s inception in November 2018, 99 grants have been awarded to Australian small and medium businesses, with a combined value of $55.6 million. The new grants include:
| Company | Grant Amount | Grant Funding Purpose | State |
| EPE | $1,400,000 | Development of a world leading specialised unmanned systems proving ground, training area, and supporting Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield explosives (CBRNe) Sensor Test and Assurance Laboratory specifically for Australian requirements. | QLD |
| Diamond Defence Pty Ltd | $290,990 | Expansion of fibre-optic manufacturing capability at its Melbourne facility. Will enable locally manufactured, high performance military-spec fibre optic assemblies and harnesses which are not currently available in Australia. | VIC |
| Moog Australia | $209,772 | Support to acquire and install new specialist equipment. | VIC |
| Novafast International Pty Ltd | $1,366,962 | Support the acquisition and installation of new robotics equipment for new manufacturing technologies in composite products. | SA |
| Varley Rafael Australia | $183,022 | Expansion of current Guided Weapons capabilities by setting up and commissioning a SPIKE Launcher assembly line, by upgrading facilities and associated security measures. | VIC |
| HTA Group Pty Ltd | $1,069,479 | Support the acquisition and installation of specialist equipment for defence and aerospace compliant vacuum hardening processes in Victoria and New South Wales. | VIC/NSW |
| Australian Precision Technologies Pty Ltd | $1,054,137 | Expansion and update of specialist equipment and current facilities for precision machining and milling. | VIC |
| Able Industries Engineering Pty Ltd | $1,395,344 | Purchase, construct, install and commission new capital equipment, implement workforce training, skills development and quality accreditation. | VIC |
| Able Industries Engineering Pty Ltd | $331,450 | Completed required building modifications to enhance the company’s ability to manufacture key components. | VIC |
| Abstec Calibrations Australia Pty Ltd | $185,117 | Extension of existing laboratory area to meet increased demand from defence industry and to improve their National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) scope of accreditation | SA |
| GW Kewder Engineering Pty Ltd | $294,000 | Investment in specialist machining tools to continue to support the manufacture of precision components. | VIC |
| Campagno Engineering Pty Ltd | $609,266 | Acquire and install specialist equipment. | VIC |
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