Backing small businesses to grow through defence exports

Six Australian small businesses have shared in more than $1.3 million in Morrison Government grants designed to boost their export potential.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the latest recipients of grants under the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant Program were now eyeing off opportunities overseas.

“We are helping businesses around the country to upgrade their manufacturing processes and equipment to increase access to international markets and overseas revenue streams,” Minister Price said.

“New South Wales business Blueprint Lab, with support from the Australian Defence Export Office, has grown from a robotics hardware start-up to a company exporting to more than 11 countries.

“This grant will support Blueprint Lab to commission a new deployable test vehicle which they will use to certify equipment to international standards, opening up further export opportunities.”

Blueprint Lab’s robotics products are exported for use by many customers including marine science institutes, oil and gas companies as well as nuclear plant operators.  

Queensland-based company Crystalaid Manufacture’s began supporting medical solutions to combat hearing loss through the use of innovative technologies.

The company transitioned to the defence sector more than five years ago and has established itself as a complex and bespoke electronics manufacturer across defence, aerospace and avionics industries.   

Crystalaid Manufacture will use its grant to purchase an automated optical inspection machine to increase the quality and export capacity of its surface-mounted technology boards.

Minister Price said another Queensland business, Frontline Manufacturing, had grown substantially as a result of the Morrison Government’s significant investment in defence capability, particularly in projects such as the LAND 400 program.

“The company specialises in manufacturing metal structures and components, suppling predominantly to defence primes,” Minister Price said.

“Frontline Manufacturing plans to leverage its domestic success to become a mid-tier defence company through exports and will use its grant to upgrade its equipment.”

WA business Orbital Corporation Limited will purchase testing equipment to increase the quality control and production capacity of its propulsion systems and flight critical components to meet increasing unmanned aerial vehicle export market demand.

“This grant will enable Orbital to not only better service its existing relationships with global primes but also to broaden its international customer base,” Minister Price said.

Another Queensland business, Ryan Aerospace, will use its grant to increase its production capability of helicopter controls for simulators, opening up additional export opportunities to the United States.

Victorian business Defendtex is working to obtain, install and commission an injection moulding line to manufacture moulded parts for defence applications in-house.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants are available to help Australian small and medium businesses invest in projects that help to build their export capacity.

Companies can apply for the program at any time through: www.business.gov.au/dgc

The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants announced today: