Govt invests over $100m to deliver next-gen drones to ADF

The Australian Government has announced it will invest over $100 million to boost the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) arsenal of drones, demonstrating its commitment to national defence.

The acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) — both of which can be deployed as a complement to crewed systems — 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. The partnership with Quantum-Systems and SYPAQ Systems is expected to create at least 30 highly skilled jobs in Brisbane and Melbourne.

“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,” said Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.

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 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 the Army.

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 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 [the] intent to enhance the speed at which we introduce capabilities in support of current and future Defence requirements,” Conroy added.

Image credit: LSIS Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.