The Australian Government will invest over $100 million to enhance the Australian Defence Force (ADF)’s drone capabilities, providing military personnel with cutting-edge lethal and non-lethal technologies.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy emphasised the significance of this investment: “Defence’s partnership with two pioneering companies is an example of how the Albanese Government is not only investing in Australian ingenuity but also in the capabilities our ADF personnel need to keep Australians safe.”
This investment includes acquiring two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) to bolster the ADF’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The Quantum-Systems Vector 2-in-1 and the Sypaq Systems CorvoX will enhance force protection and potency across land and littoral operations, supporting both the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in confined areas, including small marine craft and urban environments.
These systems can complement existing crewed systems, further augmenting ADF capabilities, the government said in a media release.
The partnership with Quantum Systems and Sypaq Systems is expected to create at least 30 highly skilled jobs in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Minister Conroy highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting the defence industry: “With this investment the Albanese Government will grow our defence industrial base, supply chains and create highly skilled, well-paid jobs.”
The two new SUAS will be delivered in 2025, marking a rapid deployment within a year of project approval.
“This significant demonstration of Defence and industry’s strong partnership underscores our intent to enhance the speed at which we introduce capabilities in support of current and future Defence requirements,” said Conroy.
The 2024 Integrated Investment Program (IIP) includes a range of investments in uncrewed and autonomous systems designed to complement crewed systems on various missions.
This strategy aims to enhance the ADF’s capabilities, ensuring that potential adversaries are held at risk and the potency of the ADF is increased.
The Australian Government is investing over $10 billion in drones, including at least $4.3 billion in uncrewed aerial systems and $690 million in uncrewed tactical systems for the Army.
