The latest round of contracts awarded under the Australian defense ministry’s Defence Innovation Hub program focuses on the development of equipment for the protection of Australian personnel in the field.
“This latest tranche of investment in businesses and academia is worth more than $21 million,” Australian defense industry minister Melissa Price said announcing the 10 new contracts.
The contracts include a AU$3.7 million contract with Queensland company Downer EDI Engineering for technologies to counter improvised explosive devices. Another $2.7 million contract for Spearpoint Solutions will help it develop a digital combat helmet, while $3.1 million in contracts will allow Defendtex to work on next generation body armor and a lightweight modular shotgun system.
“We are also investing in advanced power storage and generation technologies, through a $3.3 million contract with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a $1.8 million contract with Florestan Technology in New South Wales,” minister Price said.
The contracts also include $1.9 million for West Australian company Techventure Investments to develop a lightweight high-performance projectile, and $1 million for researchers from the University of Western Australia to develop secure communications system components.
“I am pleased to see West Australian innovators showing strong potential to provide defense with game-changing capabilities,” minister Price said.
