Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced the latest round of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority (SICP) Grants worth more than $11 million to 20 Australian small businesses.
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Minister Price said the latest funding support awarded through the SICP Grants Program will also boost innovation and investment in Australian Defence Force capability.
Funding for Australian businesses to build industrial capabilities that fit with Defence’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities – small-to-medium sized businesses with an Australian business number (ABN). The business must be a company incorporated in Australia or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.
"These grants make a vital contribution to growing Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base. This funding will allow for even greater co-operation and innovation activities across industry and with Defence," Minister Price explained.
The SICP Grants Program helps drive innovation in small businesses and make them more competitive, especially in the face of COVID-19 challenges.
The SICP Grants announced on Wednesday are:
Company |
Grant amount |
Grant funding purpose |
State |
Phasor Innovation |
$98,138 |
Establish a specialised radio frequency laboratory to enhance testing and design capabilities. |
VIC |
Athinian Valley |
$189,654 |
Fund plant and equipment that will increase technical capability and capacity. |
SA |
Indra Australia |
$146,772 |
Establish a secure facility to enable collaboration with Defence and other businesses in the defence sector. |
NSW |
Clearbox Systems |
$202,570 |
Upgrade security of is facilities to enable enhanced capabilities when developing sensitive technologies. |
ACT |
Q-Ctrl |
$468,645 |
Hiring of appropriately qualified staff and purchase software to enable the development of electronic warfare capabilities. |
NSW |
Franmarine Underwater Services |
$949,171 |
Establish a facility to service Royal Australian Navy vessels in maintenance activities. |
WA |
Holmwood Highgate |
$1,000,000 |
Enhance their ability to manufacture bulk liquid transport equipment serving the commercial, aviation and defence industries. |
QLD |
Aurumtown |
$1,000,000 |
Upgrade their facilities to increase storage and manufacturing capabilities. |
VIC |
Mactaggart Scott Australia |
$267,377 |
Enhance its ability to deliver enhanced submarine testing capabilities. |
SA |
Team Zenith |
$1,000,000 |
Upgrade capital equipment and increase productivity. |
SA |
RUAG Australia |
$918,935 |
Enhance manufacture of aerospace platform components. |
VIC |
Agent Oriented Software |
$510,634 |
Enhance ability to test future generation of ADF autonomous, unmanned ground vehicles. |
VIC |
Precision Metal Group |
$1,000,000 |
Enhance ability to manufacture specialised metal components. |
NSW |
Supacat |
$541,153 |
Enhance ICT security infrastructure, design engineering capabilities and supply chain integration. |
VIC |
Southern Launch |
$128,977 |
Develop an overland rocket test range to support sub-orbital launches and satellite recovery for testing and validation of rockets and satellite subsystems. |
SA |
MultiMedia Concepts |
$137,513 |
Enhance its ability to produce bespoke computer-based training and simulations. |
NSW |
BMP Engineering |
$757,282 |
Enhance ability to engineer and manufacture complex and precision defence, aerospace and munitions components. |
VIC |
IKAD Engineering |
$1,000,000 |
Enhance ability to manufacture complex components to support continuous shipbuilding program and Collins Class submarine SICPs. |
WA |
Vipac Engineers and Scientists |
$164,950 |
Purchase and commission of a Shock Testing System to enhance shock test capabilities. |
VIC |
Boss Investments Australia |
$132,686 |
Purchase of an edge rounding machine to enhance capability to manufacture precision sheet metal components. |
QLD |
Minister Price added, "For example, WA-based Franmarine Underwater Services is contributing to our Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise by establishing a new facility to better support underwater maintenance activities.
"Franmarine’s investment will improve the effectiveness and speed of maintenance activities, helping keep our critical naval vessels available for deployment," Minister Price said.
Grant applications can be made at any time and can be submitted through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability.
Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities are capabilities that are critical to Defence and must be developed or supported by Australian industry. This means Australia must have access to, or control over, the skills, technology, intellectual property, financial resources and infrastructure that underpin the priorities.
The priorities represent a subset of the industrial capabilities that Defence relies on to deliver its core objectives and will be managed closely across defence and industry planning.
A SICP Grants Program will support the development, maintenance or enhancement of the capability of Australian small to medium enterprises that contribute to one or more of the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities.
Grants of up to $1 million will be available for capital expenditure or non-recurring engineering costs, subject to a 50:50 matched funding requirement.