The grants have been awarded to South Australia-based businesses Axiom Precision Manufacturing and M&I Samaras, and NSW-based business Jehbco Manufacturing.

Axion, which has secured its second grant under the scheme, has been awarded $1 million to develop the capability to weld high-precision structures and armoured steel.

The firm contributed to Australia’s COVID-19 response, producing face shields for health and aged care workers, and has recently signed a contract for component supply for the Joint Strike Fighter Program.

M&I Samaras’ grant, also valued at $1 million, is expected to be used to fund the development and installation of a robotic assembly and welding line, designed for heavy engineering and equipped with advanced manufacturing capabilities required in the shipbuilding process.

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Jehbco Manufacturing has been awarded a $92,340 grant, used to fund the purchase and commission of capital equipment, as well as upgrades to overall security, which is expected to facilitate productivity gains and improve quality and precision.

Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price congratulated the recipients, noting their individual qualities.  

“Axiom boasts an already strong track record and this grant boosts their potential to provide high quality welding capabilities to Australia and our partners,” Minister Price said.

“Our other two awardees, M&I Samaras and Jehbco Manufacturing, are on their own journey to provide improved quality and precision capabilities to our ADF.

“Australian companies have world-leading capabilities and this program ensures companies like Axiom, M&I Samaras and Jehbco Manufacturing can continue to grow, avoiding Australian reliance on foreign companies for crucial Defence technologies and components.”

The firms are the latest of 73 Australian small and medium businesses to secure a combined $40 million in grants under the SICP program since its launch in November 2018.

[Related: Victorian SME joins growing sovereign industrial capability cluster]