The Australian government is “accelerating the acquisition” of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
A July 24 statement from the Defence Department said the government has issued an initial rolling wave of contracts worth AUD 16.9 million to 11 vendors, including five Australian companies, to rapidly deliver C-UAS capability and technologies. “This means that following testing, at least 120 of the world’s most capable threat detectors and drone-defeating technologies, will rapidly be introduced into service by the ADF.”
Further C-UAS acquisitions will be announced in the coming months, including contracts to deliver a command-and-control capability, and additional advanced counter-drone sensors and effectors, giving the ADF more options to protect Australian defence bases. Through Project LAND 156, the ADF will continually upgrade and refresh capabilities to address emerging drone threats.
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Mission Syracuse is also accelerating the development of capabilities to counter medium size drones and swarms of drones.
For more information
Department of Defence – Australia
Image: Defence Department photo by CPL Nakia Chapman
