The Government of Australia has awarded a total of nine contracts to support the development of new technologies for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The new Defence Innovation Hub contracts involve a combined investment of A$19m ($14.21m).

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said: “I am delighted to see this investment in businesses and a research organisation to help Defence harness cutting-edge capabilities that could help protect and sustain ADF personnel in the field.”

The contracts include a A$5.31m order for South Australia-based RFTEQ to develop a counter improvised threat solution that could detect and neutralise complex threat signals to increase ADF personnel and equipment safety.

Victoria’s QinetiQ won a A$3.63m contract to develop a thermoelectric heat recovery system for naval vessels while RUAG Australia received A$2.43m order to continue with the development of additive technologies that will enable damaged metal components to be repaired.

Victorian companies Defendtex Research Labs and Sentient Vision Systems won contracts worth A$1.84m and A$1.74m, respectively, in the latest round.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Defendtex will develop an uncrewed ground vehicle that can destroy enemy armoured vehicles while Sentient will work on an electro-optical camera array system that can offer intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities at high altitudes.

Other contract winners include Boresight, Arkwright Technologies, Blueprint, and Daronmont Technologies.

Minister Price added: “Several of the new contracts will focus on the development of uncrewed systems that could improve the safety of our soldiers, sailors, and aviators by enabling them to respond to threats remotely.”

Earlier this week, the Australian government announced a A$23m Defence Innovation Hub contract award round involving ten companies.

Last month, the government committed $656m (A$875m) to upgrade major defence sites across the country.

Army Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Army Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has clinched both the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) AI suite, transforming maintenance, sustainment and operational decision-making across the US DoD. Discover how explainable AI and predictive insights are redefining mission readiness, risk management and joint-force efficiency.

Discover the Impact