EPE wins Leidos contract to deliver defence capabilities to Australia

EPE has won a $10m contract from Leidos Australia to deliver chemical and biological defence capabilities to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Last year, the government’s Defence Innovation Hub granted a funding of $300,000 to EPE which will help the company to expand and develop its technologies.

Australia Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said: “What this shows is that our record investment in Australia’s defence capability is helping businesses grow and succeed, all while building a strong and sustainable defence industry.

“EPE’s selection is indicative of the depth and capability of the defence industry in Queensland and Australia more broadly.”

EPE offers technologies that protect personnel from emerging threat. The threats include risk of chemical and biological attacks.

Brisbane federal member Trevor Evans said: “EPE will provide a detection capability that is critical to enabling the protection of Defence personnel in chemical and biological threat environments.

“Minister Price and I visited EPE in June last year to announce their Defence Innovation Hub contract, so we’re thrilled to see how our Government’s support has given them the leverage to secure this significant contract.

EPE will help ensure the ADF has the best capability to defend Australia’s national interests.

Earlier this month, the ADF announced the establishment of Operation Covid-19 ASSIST. This operation will extend support to the national Covid-19 pandemic response.

Led by Major General Paul Kenny, the operation aims to coordinate and deliver the military aspects of ADF’s support to civilian agencies.