Not so long ago, any mention of Adelaide at an international expo in the USA or Europe would likely have been met with more than a few blank stares. Now, with billions being invested by State and Federal governments, South Australia’s capital is emerging as a bright light in the global constellation of defence and space economies. However, that doesn’t automatically translate into an inrush of companies willing to spend, employ and expand. Having spent much of his career working for large corporates in Australia and overseas, Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price knew it isn’t just a case of ...

In an age of big data, artificial intelligence, increasing surveillance requirements, cyber security, electronic warfare supporting emerging technologies and capabilities, South Australia is leading the way in strengthening the country’s information warfare capabilities and ensuring a smarter, more integrated Australian Defence Force (ADF).   South Australia’s Edinburgh Defence Precinct is at the heart of this activity, as the national defence research, manufacturing and sustainment hub, housing RAAF Base Edinburgh, the Defence Science and Technology Group’s (DSTG) largest Australian operations and a thriving cluster of defence companies and expertise. Over the past decade, the precinct has become a major intelligence, surveillance ...

The 2022 International Maritime Exposition Indo Pacific event, held in Sydney from 10-12 May, delivered a record turnout in its 20-year history. With more than 25,000 visitors attending across the three days and 736 participating exhibitor companies, the event provided unheralded opportunities for engagement across the maritime sector. Exhibitor numbers represented a 12 per cent increase from 2019, making it the largest number of participating companies in the history of events by organisers AMDA Foundation. The event saw 115 official defence, industry, academic and government delegations with more than 40 nations represented, including 39 Chief of Navy Counterparts or their ...

South Australia’s fast-growing defence industry is becoming a leading force in delivering our national defence industry capability, with exciting career opportunities attracting some of the nation’s brightest talent. As a young female engineer wanting to work on innovative and cutting-edge technology, Jessica Sharp was excited about the prospect of moving to South Australia to pursue a career in the state’s thriving defence industry sector. After completing a mechatronics engineering degree at the University of Wollongong and a short placement at Lockheed Martin Australia’s Canberra headquarters, Jessica was offered a position in the company’s award-winning Graduate Development Program in South Australia. The ...

ASC has awarded Australian engineering business Eptec Group a $66 million contract to carry out blast and paint services during Collins Class Full Cycle Dockings. Part of a six-year agreement, the contract will support more than 100 local jobs, with work to be carried out at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. The contract involves providing blast services to clean components and systems within the Collins class submarines to ensure effective ongoing operation, painting services including anti-corrosion protection for the submarine hulls and internal structures as well as internal paintwork to refresh onboard living areas. ASC Chief Executive Officer Stuart Whiley said ...

PRP Manufacturing, an SA based engineering firm, was recently awarded a Defence Global Competitiveness grant to increase capability and capacity to supply defence-related work to the global market. The grant has enabled PRP to purchase and commission an advanced 5-axis flatbed CNC workstation. The equipment, due to arrive in September, will assist with current defence contracts, including the recently awarded gasket contract for BAE Systems Australia’s Hunter Class Frigate Program, and also extend capability in specialised component manufacturing for global customers. PRP Manufacturing Chief Operating Officer Luke Sernecki is thrilled with the outcome. “The grant has been a fantastic reward ...

South Australia will boast a strong presence at Indo Pacific 2022, with more than 50 high-profile companies, research and education providers on board to demonstrate the state’s expertise in defence and naval shipbuilding during the three-day event. A broad range of SMEs and primes will be the centrepiece of The South Australia – The Defence State stand, which also highlights the state’s education sector, with TAFE SA and the state’s three universities, The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia, featuring on the stand. South Australia’s leading organisation for fostering defence-research collaborations, the Defence Innovation Partnership, ...

Five South Australian companies were among 19 businesses across the country to receive Federal Government funding to develop their innovative ideas and technologies to strengthen the nation’s Defence capabilities.  Local companies RFTEQ, Arkwright Technologies, Daronmont Technologies, Prism Systems and Mincham secured over $10 million in contracts through the Australian Government’s Defence Innovation Hub program. Announced earlier this month, the funding will enable the companies to fast-track the development of a broad range of technologies for Defence, including next-generation electronic warfare capabilities, a deployable payload delivery system, and a vibration monitoring system for Navy vessels. South Australia company RFTEQ, which produces ...

In a major boost to the state’s defence manufacturing capability, two South Australian defence suppliers are joining forces to offer a comprehensive suite of integrated design and engineering services for a range of customers, including Defence. South Australia’s Toolcraft Australia, which specialises in complex mechanical system integration, is merging with local company Mitchell & Cheesman to deliver significantly expanded advanced manufacturing and technology development capabilities. Established in 1957, Mitchell & Cheesman brings an extensive range of design, engineering and manufacturing services for precision tooling, jigs and fixtures. Complimentary capabilities include metal component pressing, fabrication and surface finishing. Toolcraft General Manager ...

When the global specialist valve designer and manufacturer IMI Critical Engineering was looking for a site for its Australian expansion, company leaders sought a place where they could be connected into a hub with similar companies working on major projects. The UK-based company found it at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen. IMI Critical Engineering marine market manager Spencer Jenner says the move to Lot Fourteen this year was a strategic choice to engage with industry leaders. “It was a very conscious decision,” he says. “From our point of view, getting connected to all the right people was a big part of how ...

The latest apprentice and trainee data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows a strong increase in the number of defence sector apprentices and trainees in South Australia over the last 12 months. As at 30 September 2021, there were 5,360 apprentices and trainees in-training in trades relevant to the defence sector – an increase of 28.5% from the previous year’s figures. In addition, apprenticeship completions in the same period almost doubled from 510 to 1,015. As part of this, commencement of apprenticeships and traineeships in Engineering, ICT and Science Technician roles more than doubled during this ...

A collaboration between Flinders University and global tech leader Cisco will see South Australia’s Tonsley Innovation District expand to feature a hub designed to help small and medium enterprises solve real-world business challenges. Innovation Central Adelaide (ICA) will provide an opportunity for South Australian companies to navigate digital transformation and advanced manufacturing through an open innovation ecosystem. Offering organisations access to world-class facilities, the ICA will be designed to nurture innovation through the use of advanced digital design and visualisation technologies including robotics, rapid prototyping, simulation, and high-tech visualisation technologies that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Flinders’ Pro Vice-Chancellor ...