News

The Victorian Government in conjunction with the Avalon Airshow 2025 has released a Victorian Defence Vision Statement.

This document provides a clear signal to Australian and international stakeholders across government and industry on Victoria’s commitment to the sector. This commitment supported by the critical role of industry will position the State to secure investment projects that will uplift the sector and support economic and national security objectives.

The Victorian Defence Vision Statement can be accessed at the link below and will be further publicised during the Avalon Airshow 2025.

Web link:

https://defence.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2379308/Victorian-Defence-Vision.pdf

Leidos Australia is seeking to maximise opportunities available for Australian industry for upcoming opportunities in 2025 and beyond, including small-to-medium-enterprises (SMEs) and Indigenous enterprises. Leidos is focused on continually growing the size and capability of Australian Industry Capability by providing opportunities to join our supply-chain. The opportunity scope requires Leidos to deliver Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems capabilities, and are seeking engagement with organisations that will potentially be able to support its delivery, particularly in the provision of mature, cost-effective technologies including:

• Active and passive radar;
• Electro-optic, acoustic and thermal sensors;
• Projectile based systems;
• Directed energy systems; and
• Counter-RF systems

Leidos encourage Australian Industry to express interest in this opportunity by registering on the Leidos APN and also by directly contacting michaella.edelstein@au.leidos.com. Leidos will then reach out to organisations with relevant, mature capabilities being sought as the first stage of the engagement process. Leidos hope to maximise opportunities for Australian industry involvement in their supply chain and engage with a broad range of companies who will also be considered for longer-term opportunities as they arise.

Posted on behalf of Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN)

Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) is pleased to invite you to attend the AIDN Pitch Perfect Online Webinar.

Ahead of the upcoming Avalon Airshow, and events such as, the ‘Global Supply Chain Briefing: Pitch to the Primes’, AIDN are hosting a Pitch Perfect Webinar to help Members ensure they feel fully prepared and equipped when presenting their capabilities, value propositions, and key differentiators to potential partners and prime contractors.

Not attending Avalon? This webinar will still be a great way to refine your pitching skills, gain insights into what primes, and industry leaders are looking for, and enhance your ability to articulate your business strengths in any setting.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Hear from two leading GSC Primes, BAE Systems Australia and Moog Australia Pty Ltd on best practice pitch preparation.

Innovation expert, Craig Butler from The Defence Science Institute will share essential insights into how to modify and frame a pitch around your audience.

The webinar will be led by AIDN VIC Committee Member, Jason Barkla, from Aldus Engineering whilst providing SME input into the discussion.

REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gvvtFAzG

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm (AEDT)
Location: Online

TICKET PRICES:

AIDN & VDSN Members: FREE
Non-AIDN Members: $25 + GST

Note: VDSN Members, please check your emails and ensure to enter the Discount Code to register.

***Please note that for security reasons, you will receive the link to the webinar once AIDN has confirmed your details.

New grant support for AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine supply chain An increase in Defence Industry Development Grant (DIDG) funding was recently announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery. This opportunity will support Australian businesses to develop supply opportunities which are linked to the nuclear-powered submarine (NPS) program. Grant funding can be used to acquire capital equipment, achieve business certifications required for international opportunities, undertake technical skilling or to uplift business security. Modification to the DIDG Grant Opportunity Guidelines are expected to be released soon on GrantConnect to allow new applications to be submitted under this expanded funding opportunity. To prepare for submissions, it is recommended that relevant applicants who are actively engaging in NPS opportunities seek an appropriate Letter of Support from the Australian Submarine Agency. Applications with a Letter of Support from the Australian Submarine Agency will also be considered under the main funding stream. Requests for Letters of Support to accompany applications for the NPS related opportunities can be sent to: asa.industry@defence.gov.au. Next batches of the DIDG Sovereign Industrial Priorities and DIDG Security streams close on 28 February 2025.

Applications for the Defence and Industry Study Course (DISC) close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 28 February 2025.

DISC is a key program fostering strong Defence-industry engagement to enhance ADF capability.

The course is designed for senior executives and project managers working in Defence and industry sector. It is conducted over 4 one-week modules between May and December 2025 and will include a series of industry and base visits as well as networking opportunities. The course fee is $10,800 + GST.

You may potentially be eligible for Victorian Government support and this will be advised in due course. However, any applicants who are interested in attending must still apply and meet the Department of Defence timelines.  

Submit an application

Webinar 2: Defence-in-Depth | US-Victoria Forum

Date: Wednesday 26 February

Time: 9:00am - 10:00am (AEDT)

Register to attend

Don’t miss this free opportunity to learn more about the US market and maximise your chance of export success.

Visit the Global Victoria website to explore our guest speakers, get more detailed information on this session (and others if interested) and to register to attend one or all the webinars.

 

This webinar series is available to all Victorian cybersecurity stakeholders from across the industry and is being delivered as part of its USA Cybersecurity Trade Program 2025, supporting Mission 3 ‘a vibrant cyber economy’ of Victoria’s Cyber Strategy 2021.

Ribcraft Australia has partnered with Edencraft International to begin local manufacturing of its high-performance Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) in Geelong, Victoria

"The partnership with Edencraft not only allows us to build world-class rigid inflatable boats here in Australia but also strengthens our nation’s sovereign maritime capabilities. Witnessing these boats being built locally, with the same attention to detail that Ribcraft is renowned for globally, is both inspiring and exciting," said the Managing Director of Ribcraft Australia, Adelina Florescu.

The Edencraft facility in Moolap, Geelong, Victoria, will serve as the hub for producing custom-built Ribcraft RHIBs that meet Australian Maritime Safety Authority National Standards for Commercial Vessels. The local manufacturing capability will support not only Australian needs but also exports to the wider region.

"Under the ‘Australian Made’ banner, we are driving innovation and upholding the highest standards of performance and reliability for defence, law enforcement, and commercial operations.”

Through the partnership, Ribcraft Australia and Edencraft will also work on the development of uncrewed RHIBs as well as next-generation propulsion systems.

 

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 is calling for abstract submissions.  

Don’t miss the upcoming 2 webinars to help you navigate the submission process:

Exploring IAC 2025 Tickets: Exploring IAC 2025 Tickets | TryBooking Australia

 Learn more with these resources:

• Call for Papers: CFP_IAC_2025.pdf
• How to Engage in IAC 2025 Guide: How_to_Engage_in_the_IAC_Guide_12-11-2024 1.pdf

Join senior leaders from the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, Australian Government, and Aerospace Industries Association for an AUKUS webinar covering recent defense trade reforms that seek to bolster the trilateral partnership and better facilitate defense trade between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What is the AUKUS Exemption: This webinar follows a key interim final rule published by the Department of State known as the ‘AUKUS Exemption,’ or the ‘§ 126.7 exemption’, designed to facilitate billions of dollars in secure, license-free defense trade. Under this exemption, the vast majority of commercial defense trade for both AUKUS and non-AUKUS programs is eligible for transfer between AUS-UK-US.

Who Should Attend: This is a unique opportunity for companies, compliance professionals, and country managers involved in the AUKUS landscape to hear directly from the leaders involved in shaping the defense trade between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Speakers:

• Chris Deeble, Australian Deputy Secretary
  Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Australia Department of Defense
• Michael Vaccaro, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Trade Controls
  U.S. Department of State
• Philip Johnson, Chief of Staff, Export Administration
  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce
• Dak Hardwick, Vice President, International Affairs
  Aerospace Industries Association

When:

• February 11, 2025
  5:00PM, Washington, DC
  2:00PM, Los Angeles, CA
• February 12, 2025,
  9:00AM, Canberra, Australia

Cost: $25

Questions:

• Patrik Kjos
  IA Office of Aerospace
• Doug Hartley
  U.S. Embassy - Canberra
• Jason Sproule
  Aerospace Defense Team

Registration: Click here

Babcock Australasia has opened a new International Engineering and Technology Hub in Abbotsford.

It will support a range of domestic and international programs, including the Type 31 Frigate program in the United Kingdom and Babcock's high frequency communication contracts with Australia and New Zealand.

“This leading facility will enable the delivery of complex and bespoke technical solutions to both the Australian Defence Force and our allies around the world, particularly around AUKUS Pillar 2, which relies on the combined industrial might of the trilateral partners to deliver interoperability and advanced capabilities," said Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland.

Worth $3.5 million, the facility was partially funded by the Victorian Government and is expected to create around 100 jobs.

“With the help of Victorian Government grant funding, we have been able to create a cutting-edge workspace where we can engage with the Commonwealth, SMEs, academia, and research organisations such as the CSIRO and Defence Science and Technology Group across a wide range of projects and at all classification levels. This will lead to greater uplift across the board from project outcomes to skills and capability development, to job creation," said Babcock International Group Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Brad Yelland.