Innovation and R&D have always been the essential foundations of a strong, sustainable defence industry. Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper, Defence Industry Policy Statement (DIPS) and Defence Integrated Investment Program (DIIP) acknowledge the importance of successful Defence R&D and innovation to the nation’s defence industry and thus to Australian defence policy. The 2020 Defence Force Structure Plan reinforced these foundations.
EX2 was set up by Dr Gregor Ferguson, a defence industry and innovation analyst and consultant, to make a useful contribution in Australia’s new and welcoming defence business environment.
EX2 helps innovators in Defence, the research sector and industry, and especially SMEs, by providing news and insight about innovation in Defence and adjacent sectors such as space, aerospace and resources.
Gregor Ferguson writes, teaches, advises and runs a national program designed to encourage and reward innovators in the defence, aerospace and maritime domains in both industry and the research and academic communities.
View his bio here (PDF opens in new window).
Dr Gregor Ferguson, Ph.D, BA (Hons), MRAeS
Defence says it will more than double investment in C-UAS capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with up to $7 billion now allocated under the Integrated Investment Program (IIP) over the next decade. As part of the major boost…
Defence has signed contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for Australia’s first three Japanese general purpose Mogami-class frigates. The ships will be of the upgraded Mogami class design, with the first scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy…
The Australian Government has released the 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and Integrated Investment Program (IIP). Together, these documents set out the Government’s plan to respond to what it says is Australia’s worsening strategic circumstances. It has allocated $425 billion over the…
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the capability effect of Persistent and Pervasive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or P2ISR. The RFP closes on Saturday 18 May and…
The Royal Australian Navy RAN has formally named its Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU), marking a key step in its transition to a more highly advanced, technology‑enabled future force. The Officer in Charge is CDR Chris Forward. MASU has been…
The first Australian-assembled Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles have been successfully test-fired at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. The successful firing expands the long-range strike capability of the Australian Army and demonstrates Defence’s commitment to building…
Defence has announced the development and extension of two significant programs to help local industry tap into the submarine supply chains of Australia’s AUKUS partners. This will help secure high-value manufacturing contracts that support Australian jobs, and develop robust and resilient…
The Australian Government has appointed Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN, the current Chief of Navy, as the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) with effect from July 2026, subject to the Governor General’s consideration and approval. Defence has appointed…
The US Army has demonstrated an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter employing a ‘launched effect’ for the first time, executing a launch of Anduril Industries’ Altius 700 Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) at Yuma Proving Ground during Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment 26…
The Pentagon’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has committed over US$600 million ($850 million) at what it believes is a record pace to strengthen Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities in support of Operation Epic Fury, the FIFA soccer World Cup…
