Australia pours millions into urgent new drone defence amid modern warfare threat
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has warned modern warfare tactics seen in Ukraine and the Middle East are reshaping the battlefield.
Millions of dollars will be spent on Australian-designed technology to counter the growing threat posed by drones, as the military rushes to deal with modern weapons being used with devastating effect in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has announced funding towards two initial contracts for locally developed counter-drone platforms worth about $31 million, under plans to spend $7 billion over the next decade on unmanned warfare measures.
The funding, contained in the latest Integrated Investment Program (IIP), is more than double what was allocated for counter drones in the 2024 IIP, and is being drawn from the cancellation of other unspecified defence projects.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.During a visit to Melbourne, Minister Conroy announced funding for Australian companies AIM Defence and SYPAQ Systems to further develop their locally developed counter-drone systems.
The funding for AIM Defence is to further enhance its high-powered counter-drone laser technology known as “Fractl”, a system designed to destroy individual threats as well as swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The portable high-energy laser system is capable of tracking objects as small as a 10-cent piece travelling at more than 100kph and the technology is powerful enough to burn through steel.
SYPAQ Systems is being supported to develop the “Corvo Strike”, an interceptor drone designed to track, target and destroy larger drones now commonly employed on battlefields.
“The Albanese Government and the ADF are learning the lessons from Ukraine, as well as the Middle East Conflict, and the accelerating evolution of drone warfare,” Mr Conroy said in a statement to The Nightly.
“It’s imperative that we work across the spectrum, whether that be in relation to drones and counter drones. It’s why we have accelerated the acquisition of an appropriate mix of drone and counter-drone capabilities.”
“It’s why the Albanese Government will invest up to $22 billion over the next 10 years for drones, counter drones and autonomous systems, including up to $7 billion over the next decade in counter-drones”.
