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NEWS
Getting involved in Hunter Class Frigates project just got easier
The Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway has been updated to include a taxonomy for the defence industry. The update comes in time for businesses to express interest in the SEA 5000 Hunter-class Frigate work packages.
Melissa Price appointed Minister for Defence Industry
The Hon Melissa Price MP was sworn in as Australia’s new Minister for Defence Industry on 29 May. Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, who has served in the defence industry role since March 2019, has been appointed Minister for Defence. The Hon Alex Hawke MP has been appointed Assistant Defence Minister, and the Hon Darren Chester MP continues his existing ministerial responsibilities as Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel. We welcome the ministers to their roles and look forward to working with them to advance the Government’s defence industry and innovation agenda.
The Defence Innovation Hub has awarded $67 million in innovation contracts in the 2019 calendar year so far, the highest level of investment to date. The hub invests in Defence related innovations, with the majority of investments going to micro, small and medium sized businesses.
Businesses wanting to be Defence-ready can now self-nominate to join the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) without the need for a Defence contract. Under the new DISP businesses no longer need separate memberships for each Defence contract, and can sponsor their own employees’ security clearances up to NV2.
Nine new Human Performance Research projects approved
Nine new studies are to be undertaken by the Human Performance Research Network (HPRnet), adding to the seven studies currently underway. The new four-year studies have been selected from 116 responses to the call in March this year, illustrating the breadth and depth of human performance research capability in the Australian research community.
Defence Science and Technology (DST) will hold its flagship partnership event on 15-16 August at its Edinburgh laboratory in Adelaide, South Australia. The theme for SCINDICATE 2019 is Partnering for Impact.
Industry, universities and research agencies are invited to participate in the two-day activities which will include technology demonstrations, business matchups, workshops, briefings and laboratory tours, as well as opportunities for networking and forging new collaborations. A Next Generation Technologies Fund Showcase will be a special feature of the event.
Click below for further information and to express your interest before 30 June 2019.
Maritime Environmental Working Group Conference in July
The first Maritime Environmental Working Group (MEWG) Conference for 2019 will be held in Canberra on Wednesday 24 July 2019. The MEWG is a forum for Defence personnel and the maritime industry to consider opportunities for innovation and collaboration early in the capability life cycle and look at future capability programs and challenges. It is open to Defence personnel and members of the MEWG Community.
AUSA is the largest land warfare expo in North America, attracting around 30,000 attendees and 700+ exhibitors from the world-wide defence community. Team Defence Australia (TDA) is seeking expressions of interest from Australian export-capable defence companies to participate in AUSA and the associated trade mission from 13–18 October 2019.
Register your interest no later than Friday, 21 June.
Influencing innovation policy to address business challenges
The Office of Innovation and Science Australia is conducting a series of workshops for business leaders. Click below to register for your opportunity to influence innovation policy advice to Government.
Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants are available to help Australian SMEs invest in projects that build capabilities aligned with Defence's stated Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities. Grants of between $50,000 and $1 million are available to eligible SMEs on a co-contribution basis to build capabilities aligned to those priorities identified in the Defence Industrial Capability Plan. You can apply at any time, with applications assessed in batches every 8-12 weeks.
Gilmour Space Technologies aiming for sovereign Defence satellite capability
Gilmour Space Technologies develops hybrid rocket motors for launching satellites into low-earth orbit and are working to launch Defence satellites by 2021. The CDIC is working with them to provide advice and guidance about the defence marketplace.
Spiral Blue proves a two man start-up can enter the defence market
Spiral Blue plans to enter the defence market by developing capabilities in persistent Earth observation for rapid identification of illegal activities at sea.
