Defence awards manufacturing grants worth more than $3.4 million

The Australian Department of Defence has awarded ten grants worth some $3.4 million in total to support the delivery of cutting-edge defence capabilities while creating highly skilled jobs and boosting local manufacturing.

The latest round of the Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority programs will see Defence provide 50 per cent matching grants to 10 businesses.

This assistance adds to more than $100 million already awarded to more than 230 Australian businesses under the two grant programs which support delivery of capabilities prioritised in the Government’s response to the Defence Strategic Review.

The latest recipients are:

• Aerobond (SA) receiving $849,876 to acquire and commission a 5-axis computerised numerical control machining centre, composite filament winding machine and related manufacturing capabilities for production and integration of composite structures and electronics in support of guided munitions, hypersonics and integrated defence systems.
• Hendon Semiconductors (SA) receiving $689,251 to acquire and commission assorted equipment for printed circuit board prototyping, testing, inspection, reworking and application of conformal coatings, in support of a wide range of defence platforms which require ruggedised electronics.
• U-Neek Bending Co (VIC) receiving $631,833 to acquire and commission a Trumpf TruLaser Weld 5000 system for welding complex metal parts used in aerospace, land combat vehicles and munitions.
• Advanced Navigation (NSW) receiving $278,756 to acquire a wire bonder and associated equipment to establish a photonic chip assembly and characterisation capability, for use in inertial navigation and navigation Doppler Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems.
• Advanced Power Drives (NSW) receiving $253,579 to acquire an automatic stencil printer, an automated optical inspection machine and related equipment for circuit board assembly and inspection, for use in motor control units used for position control in uncrewed air systems and other platforms.
• Protonautics (QLD) receiving $245,267 to acquire and commission a computerised numerical control multi-tasking turning centre, measurement probes and non-destructive test capabilities to support the manufacturing of components for precision guided munitions and hypersonic vehicles.
• Jehbco Manufacturing (NSW) receiving $142,316 to install post-curing ovens and chillers for production of silicone gaskets and O-rings used in guided weapons and maritime platforms.
• Armor Australia (NSW) receiving $122,970 to acquire and integrate a fabric cutting system for application to multilayered ballistic protection materials for use in soft or hard compression moulded body armour.
• Droneshield (NSW) receiving $104,700 to acquire, install and commission an anechoic test chamber to allow in-house testing of RF components that are used in anti-drone and electronic warfare systems.
• JTM Gaskets (SA) receiving $83,559 to acquire a high-speed cutting machine for precision use with thicker and harder materials used in gaskets for maritime and communications applications.