Australian Defence Force Stories

Australian Stories

Australian Defence Force stories

AMC signs Dassault software deal for defence programme

The contract bolsters Australia's push to build guided-weapons capability at home, with sensitive design data kept on local systems.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Today

Artificial Intelligence

ACTivate Capital backs Seitec's AUD $4m defence deal

The funding will help Seitec expand overseas and grow its Canberra team as demand rises for defence tech with export potential.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Robotics

Millibeam unveils Rakurai handheld counter-drone system

Backed by federal funding, the Australian-made device aims to give soldiers and security teams a lighter way to disrupt fast-evolving drone threats.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month

Mixed Reality

Operator XR, Thales Australia team on training deal

The non-binding deal could help the smaller virtual training specialist reach larger defence programmes as Australia pushes sovereign capability.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Fri, 19th Jun 2026

Productivity

TBH urges defence productivity overhaul as spending rises

Delays averaging 21 months on major programmes are undermining Australia's defence build-out as spending heads towards AUD $100 billion a year.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Fri, 29th May 2026

Data Analytics

SPA Australia promotes Anthony Ween to Defence lead

The move puts SPA Australia's government and defence analytics portfolio under a veteran Canberra analyst as demand for support rises.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Mon, 18th May 2026

Data Protection

Macquarie Government appoints Dr Chris Peiris for Azure

Public sector agencies facing tighter cyber scrutiny may gain stronger Azure support as Macquarie Government expands its Microsoft security push.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 28th Apr 2026

Cybersecurity

Beaten Zone hits AUD $17 million defence fundraise

Defence tech is drawing fresh investor interest as the Brisbane fund says committed capital has reached AUD $17 million, led by Steve Baxter.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 8th Apr 2026

Cybersecurity

DroneShield joins Defence counter-drone services panel

DroneShield has secured a spot on Defence's LAND 156 counter-drone services panel, positioning it for future C-sUAS capability contracts.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Fri, 16th Jan 2026

Space

DroneShield backs ADF drone racing team through 2026

DroneShield extends backing of the ADF Drone Racing Team to 2026, tying elite racing skills to emerging counter-drone defence technology.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 7th Jan 2026

Quantum Computing

Fujitsu appoints Kendy Hau to lead Defence for Oceania region

Fujitsu has appointed Kendy Hau as Head of Defence for Oceania, bolstering its leadership in advanced technology for Australia's Defence and national security sectors.

By Melvin Hipolito • 2 min read • Thu, 4th Dec 2025

Physical Security

Redirecting defence spending to local firms could boost GDP by AUD $8.2 billion

Redirecting 10% of domestic Defence contracts to Australian firms could boost GDP by AUD $8.2 billion and create over 43,000 jobs annually, says DeltaPearl Partners.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Wed, 3rd Dec 2025

Firewalls

New satcom lab boosts secure comms for Australian Defence Force missions

ST Engineering iDirect and Black Cat Systems have launched a new satcom lab showcasing cutting-edge secure comms tech, including the 450SDM modem, to support the ADF.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Tue, 18th Nov 2025