Albanese Government invests over $100 million to deliver next generation drones

The Albanese Government will invest over $100 million to boost the ADF’s arsenal of drones, ensuring Australian military personnel are provided with cutting-edge lethal and non-lethal capabilities and underscoring an unwavering commitment to National Defence.

The acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) will bolster the ADF’s ability to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance and augments the ADF’s existing stock of drones, including those with multiple payload options.

The Quantum-Systems Vector 2-in-1 and the Sypaq Systems CorvoX will enhance ADF force protection and potency capabilities across land and littoral operations by supporting the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in confined areas, including small marine craft, and urban environments. Both systems can be deployed as a complement to crewed systems.

The partnership with both Quantum Systems and Sypaq Systems, which is expected to create at least 30 highly skilled jobs in Brisbane and Melbourne, highlights the Albanese Government’s support for Australian innovation and the defence industry, which now employs more than 100,000 people nationwide.

The two new SUAS will be delivered in 2025 as Defence continues expediting the acquisition of new drones while continuing to trial low-cost, expendable uncrewed and autonomous systems which are capable of production at scale and able to operate in contested warfighting environments. This approach will add to the more than 20 drone systems already acquired including models that have been in service for more than a decade and platforms with multiple payload options.

The 2024 Integrated Investment Program (IIP) includes investment in a range of uncrewed and autonomous systems that can work together and complement crewed systems on a range of missions that will support the strategy of denial, hold potential adversaries at risk and increase the potency of ADF capabilities. The Albanese Government is investing more than $10 billion on drones, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems and $690 million on uncrewed tactical systems for Army.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Defence’s partnership with two pioneering companies is an example of how the Albanese Government is not only investing in Australian ingenuity but also in the capabilities our ADF personnel needs to keep Australians safe.

“With this investment the Albanese Government will grow our defence industrial base, supply chains and create highly skilled, well-paid jobs.

“The delivery of these uncrewed aerial systems in 2025, within a year of project approval, is a significant demonstration of Defence and industry’s strong partnership, and intent to enhance the speed at which we introduce capabilities in support of current and future Defence requirements.”

Defence image Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, The Hon Pat Conroy MP talks with Mr Michael Lillehagen during the announcement of DEF 129, deliver small uncrewed aerial systems at SYPAQ Systems facility, Melbourne, Victoria.