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
The NSW Government has launched an $8 million Tech Central Research and Innovation Infrastructure Fund to help drive research and commercialisation activity in the Tech Central precinct centred on Sydney’s Central Station and including UTS and the University of Sydney.…
Navantia Australia and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have formed an industry-led joint research institute to develop digital technologies. The Joint Institute is part of UTS and will promote academic and future workforce engagement in commercial projects with Navantia Australia.…
Underwater robotics and Mine Counter Measures (MCM) specialist ECA Group is teaming with Australian SMEs to pursue the RAN’s Maritime Mine Countermeasures (MCM) and Military Survey (MS) Project, SEA 1905 Tranche 1. Gregor Ferguson To aid its local expansion and…
The UK Ministry of Defence has opened a new hub in Dorset designed to spark innovation and push the boundaries of technology used by the UK Armed Forces. The Hub , named Defence BattleLab, is designed to foster closer collaboration…
Adelaide-based SME and passive surveillance specialist Silentium Defence has become only the second company outside the USA to embark on Lockheed Martin’s Mentor Protégé Program (MPP). Silentium Defence will participate in an intensive 12-month mentoring program gaining access to Lockheed…
The Australian Trade Commission, Austrade, is inviting Australian space companies to participate in Japan’s S-Booster contest. Entries close on 20 June S-Booster 2022 is a space-based business idea contest for ventures, individuals, and businesses in different industries in Japan and…
The Office of the New South Wales Chief Scientist and Engineer has released ‘Shaping the future of NSW in Science and Technology: 20-year R&D Roadmap’. The NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Hugh Durrant-Whyte, said the Roadmap identifies four technology themes:…
The Australian federal Government will invest $23.6 million in the $71.4 million Australian Satellite Manufacturing Hub, jointly led by Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and Nova Systems. This will see manufacturing facilities built at the South Jerrabomberra Innovation Precinct outside Canberra and…
Queensland-based Gilmour Space Technologies has been selected to develop and launch a new sovereign surveillance satellite in a $15 million partnership deal. This forms part of the Australian Government’s $7billion investment in new military space capabilities. “Defence is aiming to…
If elected, an Australian Labor Government will invest $1 billion in advanced manufacturing, as part of its election commitment to create secure well-paid jobs and build a future made in Australia. The Advanced Manufacturing Fund will be part of Labor’s…
