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The government has announced the first Defence Innovation Hub investments since the launch of the program in December last year, with over $800,000 worth of investments spread across three contracts.
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Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne made the announcement and said the investments are part of the government's commitment to using the defence dollar locally to grow the industry and simultaneously develop new capabilities.
"The Defence Innovation Hub is crucial in delivering the government’s $1.6 billion commitment to develop local defence capability," said Minister Pyne.
"The first three investments, totalling $887,000, will help Australian industry to mature and further develop defence technologies which will create jobs and drive economic growth.
"A $618,000 contract signed with Newcastle-based firm Armor Composite Engineering will provide a low profile body armour system, which could be used by personnel in close protection roles.
"This innovation will seek to mature technology which will improve protection for Australian Defence Force members and ensure we keep up with new and emerging threats."
The second investment is with SYPAQ Systems, which will provide a small, deployable power generator that could be a game changer for soldiers in hotspots around the world.
"Melbourne-based SYPAQ Systems has signed a $172,000 contract with Defence to provide a small, lightweight, next generation power generator tailored to land environments which can be used by individual soldiers and vehicle-based forces," the minister said.
"A $97,000 contract between Defence and Sydney-based Berkeley Information Technology will provide a software solution to support the protection of documents used on Defence information and communication systems."
Defence is hopeful that, in an increasing cyber threat environment, this technology has the potential to negate unintentional data breaches as well as malicious insider attacks.
Industry and research organisations can continue to submit proposals through the Defence Innovation Portal here.
