Building our defence industry capability

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The Hon Melissa Price MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for Science and Technology


Media contacts

Kathy Quinn (Minister Price’s office): +61 468 369 301
Charlotte Butler (Minister Price’s office): +61 406 338 521
Defence Media: (02) 6127 1999, media@defence.gov.au

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20 April 2020

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP today congratulated 11 Australian businesses who have received a total of nearly $5 million to help them to grow our nation’s defence industry capability.

The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants program supports eligible Australian small to medium-sized companies who can provide significant contributions to our Defence industry needs.

“These successful grant recipients are being supported to deliver a number of quality projects that will enhance Australian defence industry’s sovereign capabilities, aligned with Defence’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities,” Minister Price said.

“Queensland-based Cyborg Dynamics Engineering is developing a robotic unmanned ground vehicle. Their grant funding will be used to fund the project’s design, materials, equipment and testing.”

“Another recipient, New South Wales-based company Rojone Pty Ltd, is establishing a fibre optic cable assembly capability, connecting vital systems to ensure ADF personnel have access to the information they require to perform their duties.”

Minister Price said the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants program is a key Government initiative providing support and funding to eligible Australian businesses.

The funding will help them to build their capacity and resilience, which is then supporting Defence’s most critical capabilities.

Eligible activities funded through the program relate directly to buying, constructing, installing or commissioning capital equipment, including associated training for their workforce.

Grant applications can be made at any time and can be submitted through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website at: www.business.gov.au/cdic

The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants announced today:

Company

Grant Amount

Details

State

Frontline Manufacturing

$710,000

Grant funding will be used to purchase a specialised brake press for manufacturing metal plate used on armoured fighting vehicles.

QLD

SRC Australia

$311,384

Grant funding will be used to fund the purchase and installation of specialist hardware that will enable the facility to support warfighting functions.

ACT

Infinite Engineering

$1,000,000

Grant funding will be used to purchase capital equipment that will increase scale of manufacturing capacity and capability.

VIC

Cyborg Dynamics Engineering

$426,150

Grant funding will be used to fund project design, materials, equipment and testing.

QLD

Jehbco Manufacturing

$123,654

Grant funding will be used to fund the purchase and installation of new capital equipment. This will expand production capabilities.

NSW

Aero Spec Engineering

$399,077

Grant funding will be used to fund the purchase and installation of manufacturing equipment, building modifications, staff training and accreditation.

VIC

RUAG Australia

$1,000,000

Grant funding will be used to modernise and automate critical equipment.

VIC

The Smart Think Australia

$207,291

Grant funding will be used to purchase and install new capital equipment that will increase productivity, and broaden the range of products available.

VIC

Aquaterro Advanced Product Supplies

$372,317

Grant funding will be used to expand storage requirements for weapons and ammunition, in line with Defence specifications.

VIC

Simbiant

$278,475

Grant funding will be used to design and commission a software-defined radar advanced signal processing facility.

SA

Rojone

$129,950

Grant funding will be used to purchase capital equipment and undertake technical training. This will enable the production of military grade cable assemblies within Australia.

NSW

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