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
Adelaide-based Saab Australia has joined the Australian Maritime Alliance (AMA) as a key partner for the Army’s LAND 8710 Phase 1A Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Medium (LMV-M) program. At just over 45 metres in length, the proposed ‘Oboe’ design will…
Sydney-based Business news Australia has reported that Australian company DroneShield has won its second major international contract in the space of two weeks. The company’s latest deal with an undisclosed US Government agency is for DroneShield equipment and ongoing services…
The US Congress’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to be voted on this week by the US Senate, now contains provisions enabling the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) agreement. The bill was passed by the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee following negotiations…
Brisbane-based Rheinmetall Defence Australia Pty Limited will build 100 Boxer wheeled Heavy Weapon Carriers for the German Army under an in-principle agreement signed between the Australian and German Governments in Berlin on 10 July. The final agreement has yet to…
The Sydney-based Defence Innovation network (DIN) is inviting academics, defence scientists and industry representatives working in the Intelligence, Surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related areas to a Workshop related to a $500,000 grant. The focus of the topic will be AV…
Australian fund Beaten Zone Venture Partners has announced the Inaugural Beaten Zone Pitch Fest with a $500,000 investment on offer for the winning pitch, in the form of a SAFE Note with a valuation cap and a discount, subject to…
The US State Department has approved an interim AUKUS Trade Authorization Mechanism pending legislative changes to both Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). The mechanism will allow DCS transfers of some items typically transferred only under FMS.…
BAE Systems has launched a new division within its Warton, UK-based Air Sector called FalconWorks™. It is a new centre for advanced and agile research and development designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and…
Babcock Australasia has officially commenced operation of the Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS) under the $877 million Joint Project 9101, providing operation, management and maintenance upgrades to support critical operations in Australia and overseas. As the Commonwealth’s industry partner…
Canberra-based Raytheon, Perth-based Austal and Melbourne-based BMT Group have announced that a heavy variant of the Independent Littoral Manoeuvre vessel (ILMV) they have developed for Phase 1 of project LAND 8710 will be offered for the forthcoming Phase 2. In…
