The first seven recipients of the Australian Government's largest individual defence industry grants program were announced today.
Minister for Defence Industry, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the recipients would benefit from a $2.6 million investment from the $17 million Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants program.
"This dedicated program will assist Australian small-to-medium enterprises to invest in projects that build industrial capabilities aligned with the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities announced in the 2018 Defence Industrial Capability Plan," Minister Reynolds said.
"Of the seven recipients, three are from Victoria, two from New South Wales, one from the Australian Capital Territory and one from Queensland.
"The projects range from improving storage and firearm testing infrastructure, enhancing capabilities in advanced cyber security, through to developing Australia's first military quality crystal manufacturing capacity.
"The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants are designed to encourage participation by Australia's small-to-medium enterprises in the largest modernisation of the Australian Defence Force since the Second World War," Minister Reynolds said.
"For example, Mellori Solutions is enhancing their ability to repair and maintain electronic warfare simulators in Australia with the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant funding to be used to build an electronic warfare support laboratory.
"Defendtex is also doing important work to develop Australia's first military quality crystal growing capability and will use grant funding to install a manufacturing line for the piezo electric crystal."
The Government is investing more than $200 billion in defence capability over the next decade with the intention of growing defence industry and the economy, and helping create new jobs.
Applications for this grant program can be made at any time. The next round closes on 8 May 2019.
For more details visit: www.business.gov.au/centre-for-defence-industry-capability
