Eight Australian defence companies share $24.6M MMI grant

The Australian government has announced $24.6 million in funding under DISER’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Translation Stream to eight Australian businesses.

This includes $1.8 million for Craig International Ballistics, a leading Queensland manufacturer of lightweight body armour, which will invest in Australia’s first automated high pressure composite panel manufacturing line for large-format, complex ballistic product manufacturing.

As the only large format hydraulic press in the region, this investment will be unique to Australia, providing a significant increase in export sales and will see the business employ and skill 56 new staff.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia’s Defence sector is growing and will be further bolstered by the private investment this will spur.

“Building our sovereign manufacturing capability of defence products, systems and components here at home will not only help Australia meet the future challenges to our national security, but also give Australian businesses the opportunity to export more of these products to like-minded countries around the world,” Minister Taylor said.

“These projects will also open up new job opportunities which is so important given we know that for every manufacturing job we create, at least another three are generated in other neighbouring industries.”

Other successful Defence recipients under the Initiative are:

• Hypersonix Launch Systems(QLD) will use $8 million in funding for the manufacture of a hypersonic target drone technology demonstrator using additive engineering.
• Defendtex Research Labs(VIC) will use its $4.3 million to establish sovereign capability to manufacture guided warheads for unmanned aircraft technologies, missiles and small arms systems.
• ANCA Pty Ltd(VIC) will use its $3 million for manufacturing cells for equipment and capability in ultra, precise CNC grinding for larger components required by the defence industry.
• Sentient Vision Systems(VIC) will use its $2.1 million in funding to establish and fit out a new facility to manufacture VIDAR pods in Melbourne.
• Thomas Global Systems(NSW) will use its $2 million to develop and manufacture next-generation avionics and high integrity defence electronics.
• Marand Precision Engineering(VIC) will use its $1.7m to implement a welding centre with hardware, software and ancillaries to enable the survivability of modern military platforms using high-grade ballistic steels.
• Extel Technologies(VIC) will use its $1.4 million to support the onshore manufacture of electronics sub-assemblies for Defence supply chains.

The MMI is the centrepiece of the Government’s $2.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, designed to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation.

The 2022-23 Budget demonstrated the ongoing commitment to manufacturing with an additional $1 billion for the Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, including an extra $750 million for the MMI.