The Australian Defence Force provide security for a G-Wagon during an exercise. Credit: US Marine Corps Marine Rotational Force – Darwin Staff Sgt Daniel Wetzel.

The Government of Australia has awarded ten new Defence Innovation Hub contracts in a bid to support the development of new technologies for Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The new contracts have a combined value of more than A$21m ($16.07m).

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Australian Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said: “These contracts will enable the development of promising technologies that could help protect and sustain Australian personnel in the field.”

The contracts include a A$3.7m order for Queensland-based company Downer EDI Engineering to explore counter-improvised explosive device technologies to improve troop survival in highly contested environments.

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology received a A$3.3m contract to develop a smaller lightweight deployable power storage technology, while SYPAQ Systems secured A$2.9m order to improve imaging capabilities.

The government awarded a A$2.7m contract to Spearpoint Solutions & Technology for the development of an integrated digital soldier combat helmet system.

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Furthermore, Victoria’s Defendtex Research Labs secured two contracts with a combined worth of A$3.1m to deliver a lightweight modular shotgun rifle weapon system and a body armour with increased ballistics protection.

Separately, Techventure Investments, Florestan Technology, the University of Western Australia and BIA5 won contracts under this latest Innovation Hub investment.

Minister Price added: “These investments demonstrate the importance of defence’s partnership with the Australian defence industry and innovation sector, and how we can work together to improve capabilities and support available to our ADF personnel.”

Recently, L3Harris Technologies secured two contracts with a combined value of $233m from the Australian Defence Force.

The contracts require L3Harris to deliver advanced night vision goggle technology, as well as tactical radios, waveforms and ancillaries.

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