The federal government announced a $9 million agreement with Lockheed Martin Australia as part of Defence’s Counter Improvised Grand Threat Challenge.
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The federal government confirmed that it is investing $9 million in new technology to identify and mitigate the threat of improvised weapons systems under the government's Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF).
The agreement, as part of Defence's Counter Improvised Grand Threat Challenge (CIT-GC), will be undertaken alongside Lockheed Martin Australia with US$3 million support from the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price noted that the investment was a critical step in saving the lives of Australian Defence personnel.
“This major innovation contract highlights the work of the NGTF to bring together projects from defence industry, academia and other government-funded research agencies,” Minister Price said.
“By developing innovative systems, Australia continues to provide effective technologies for the protection and safety of the men and women of our Defence Force, protection services, civilians and coalition allies.
“The DTRA contribution reinforces recognition of Australia’s leading role in counter improvised threat reduction research on the international stage.”
[Related: New challenge to support innovation against CBRN threats]