Australia’s Visionary Machines has been awarded a $4.4 million grant under the Australian government’s Industry Growth Program to commercialise its counter-drone technology called Pandion Sentinel. The matched funding brings the total project investment to $8.75 million, enabling Visionary Machines to scale its manufacturing capabilities and fast-track product deployment.
“This Industry Growth Program grant, matched by our investors, provides over $8.75 million to accelerate our capacity and the capability we offer to the Australian Defence Force and international defence and security markets,” said Sonny Foster, CEO of Visionary Machines. “It’s a strong endorsement of our technology and mission to deliver advanced counter-drone solutions in response to rapidly evolving global threats.”
Pandion Sentinel is a passive optical sensing array that delivers real-time 3D spatial awareness for continuous drone activity monitoring — detection, tracking, identification, and precision targeting. Designed for defence, security, and industrial applications, it meets the growing demand for enhanced situational awareness across sectors facing unauthorised drone incursions.
“Pandion Sentinel is a direct response to the enhanced situational awareness required across defence, police, security and civil applications to address drone threats. Countering drones is a high value, high demand market and this grant allows Visionary Machines to accelerate development and manufacturing in Sydney — bolstering Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector and advancing Australian industry capability.” Foster said.
Visionary Machines Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Gibbs said, “The Australian Government funded Industry Growth Program grant, recognises and supports Visionary Machines’ unique innovation and role in the disruptive enhancement of national capabilities with this critical technology.”
The company is currently recruiting for a number of roles “This investment strengthens Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector, secures local supply chains, and creates skilled employment opportunities,” added Gibbs.
Key Points
- Significant government grant secured: Sovereign Australian SME Visionary Machines received a $4.4M Industry Growth Program Grant to support the commercialisation of its Pandion Sentinel counter drone technology.
- The matched funding grant will total over $8.75M: allowing Visionary machines to scale manufacturing and innovation in Australia — enhancing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
- Pandion Sentinel counter drone capabilities: The system offers real-time, passive 3D spatial awareness for drone detection, tracking, identification, and targeting, addressing evolving threats in defence, security, and industrial sectors.
- Economic and employment impact: The grant supports local suppliers, strengthens local advanced manufacturing and supply chains for critical security technology, and enables Visionary Machines to create skilled employment opportunities in Australia.
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