Defence establishes C-sUAS industry panel

Defence has established a new industry panel to advise it and other Australian Government agencies on Counter small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-sUAS) services, enhancing Australia’s ability to detect, deter and respond to emerging drone threats.

The Defence Project Land156 Standing Offer Panel will support Defence and other Australian Government agencies in safeguarding critical infrastructure and operations within Australia. The initiative represents a significant opportunity for industry to contribute to national security by competing for a diverse range of work across multiple Government agencies. Project LAND156 is fielding a Command and Control (C2) system for C-sUAS operations as well as successive tranches of C-sUAS sensors and effectors.

“This panel will help us to stay ahead of rapidly evolving drone and counter-drone technology,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.

“It will build on the contracts already announced as part of LAND156 to address the increasing threat of drones in modern warfare and will enhance Australia’s capacity to respond to emerging drone threats.”

The Government has also enacted the Defence Amendment (Counter-UXS Measures) Regulations 2025 to strengthen Australia’s national security by protecting ADF personnel, assets and facilities, says Defence in a media release.Importantly, this allows, for the first time, the full range of C-sUAS measures to be deployed within Australia – previously, they were forbidden or available only after a great deal of bureaucracy.

The amended Regulations give authority for Defence, in support of Australian law enforcement agencies, to detect and disable or destroy UASs that are suspected of posing a threat to ADF assets and establishments.

“Drones are swiftly becoming a tool of choice for malicious actors across the globe,” said Peter Khalil, Assistant Defence Minister. “Australia already has sophisticated capabilities to detect and counter drones. The Defence Amendment Regulations will ensure those tools can be used safely and responsibly, so we can respond quickly to threats and keep our communities safe.”

Defence says it maintains a range of capabilities to engage with hostile UAS technology, with the amendments set to better enable its capabilities to be employed in Australia where it is safe and reasonable to do so.

The first 28 companies selected to the Panel are:

• Advanced Design Technology Pty Ltd
• Anduril Australia Pty Ltd
• Australian Systems Research Pty Ltd Trading as ASR Defence
• Axon Public Safety Pty Ltd
• Beca Pty Ltd
• Codarra Advanced Systems Pty Ltd
• Cubic Defence Australia Pty Ltd
• DEWC Services Pty Ltd
• Droneshield Group Pty Ltd
• EPE OCEANIA Pty Ltd Trading as Explosive Protective Equipment (EPE)
• HENSOLDT Australia Pty Ltd
• HighCom Technology Pty Ltd
• Insitec Pty Ltd
• Integrated Frontline Services Pty Ltd
• JVAT Solutions Pty Ltd
• Leidos Australia Pty Ltd
• Key Options Pty Ltd
• L3HARRIS Space and Airborne Systems Australia Pty Ltd
• NOVA Systems Pty Ltd
• Protegas Australia Pty Ltd
• QINETIQ Pty Ltd
• Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd
• SAAB Australia Pty Ltd
• SME Gateway Pty Ltd
• Solinnov Pty Ltd
• SYPAQ Systems Pty Ltd
• Systems Planning and Analysis Australia Pty Ltd
• SYSTRA ANZ Pty Ltd

Additional suppliers will be confirmed in the coming weeks, says Defence.