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The Australian government has provided $1.3 million to Australian firms as part of the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant Program.
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The federal government has confirmed that it has bolstered Australia’s defence export capacity with $1.3 million worth grants being awarded to six Australian small businesses.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price has outlined that the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant Program will help small Australian defence businesses compete on a global scale.
“We are helping businesses around the country to upgrade their manufacturing processes and equipment to increase access to international markets and overseas revenue streams,” Minister Price said.
The grant has allowed the recipient small businesses from across Australia to grow out their internal capabilities.
NSW's Blueprint Lab specialises in robotics and has been in use across a number of industries, including natural resources, energy and marine science.
“New South Wales business Blueprint Lab, with support from the Australian Defence Export Office, has grown from a robotics hardware start-up to a company exporting to more than 11 countries,” Minister Price continued.
“This grant will support Blueprint Lab to commission a new deployable test vehicle which they will use to certify equipment to international standards, opening up further export opportunities.”
Crystalaid Manufacture of Queensland initially began its operations to support the fight against deafness, but has since used its electrical expertise in the defence industry. It now operates in both the aerospace and defence realms.
Frontline Manufacturing, an additional Queensland company supported by recent grants, has taken part in crucial defence programs such as LAND 400.
“The company specialises in manufacturing metal structures and components, suppling predominantly to defence primes,” Minister Price said.
“Frontline Manufacturing plans to leverage its domestic success to become a mid-tier defence company through exports and will use its grant to upgrade its equipment.”
Queensland's Ryan Aerospace has outlined that it intends to expand its product line to the US. Ryan Aerospace currently manufactures helicopter controls within flight simulators.
Further, WA's Orbital Corporation Limited outlined that it intends to expand into the global unmanned aerial vehicle market by increasing its quality testing procedures.
“This grant will enable Orbital to not only better service its existing relationships with global primes but also to broaden its international customer base,” Minister Price outlined.
Meanwhile, Victoria's DefendTex will continue its growth in the development of moulded parts by acquiring new equipment for its manufacturing process.
Further applications for the program are being accepted.
[Related: SMEs secure new tranche of Defence grants]
