Six small and medium businesses in the Australian defence manufacturing industry have received a total of more than $3.2 million in grants to build capabilities for the defence sector and address export barriers.
The funding was awarded through the Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority programs, which provide 50 per cent matching grants to assist Australian small to medium manufacturers in the industry.
Recipients in the grant program include South Australia-based Lightforce, which received $1 million to establish new capabilities for manufacturing through-life support for precision riflescopes, night vision, and other optic and electro-optic products.
Victorian SME Integra Systems is also slated to receive the same amount to install panel bending and fibre optic laser cutters for a range of capability programs.
XTEK Limited is receiving $747,707, which will enable the company to acquire and commission a custom press and a new virtual machining centre.
Tasmania-based Direct Edge Manufacturing was awarded $342,470 to purchase specialised cutting equipment to enhance land combat and protected mobility vehicle components, while Stahl Metall received $74,900 to install wire braiding and test units and increase its in-house manufacturing capability relevant to the international defence aerospace sector.
Finally, $62,212 was awarded to Fire System Services to install new equipment, enhancing its testing and certified maintenance of pressure vessels for a range of capabilities.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the grants are aimed at enabling Australians to deliver cutting-edge manufacturing and maintenance capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.
“The Defence Global Competitiveness and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant programs are enhancing the ability of Australian businesses to manufacture products that will serve Defence needs both here and abroad,” the minister said.
Over 200 Australian businesses have received funding through the grants program.
