Defence Industry

Expertise in a number of niche areas

The Canberra Region has the most significant concentration of defence knowledge and expertise in Australia. As a result of the strong defence infrastructure and number of institutions in Canberra, the ACT has a concentration of defence specific industry expertise in a number of areas. Local industry capabilities include:

• intelligence support;
• high technology communications;
• intelligence systems;
• logistics and command and control systems; and
• specialist operations and warfare componentry across the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Many local companies have developed strong reputations across the industry. Almost all of Canberra's defence supply companies have been established by ex-Australian defence Force personnel and all employ people with Australian Defence Force (ADF) experience. For example, Canberra company, CEA Technologies, has developed strategic alliances with many Prime Contractors, enhancing their reputation and capabilities. CEA Technologies is an interesting example of a business developing and growing in Canberra through defence-specific supply.

The Defence industry in Canberra is capitalising on the high level of infrastructure and institutions that the area possesses to build a strong and innovative industry.

Capability Mapping Exercise of the ACT Defence and Security Industries

In order to capitalise on the ACT's competitive advantages, the ACT Government, in its Economic White Paper for the Australian Capital Territory, committed to support a number of priority industry sectors where the ACT has a concentration of talent and expertise.

Part of this process involves the development of industry capability maps that provide a detailed database of the knowledge and activity occurring in the ACT in an industry sector. Currently, an industry capability-mapping exercise is underway in the defence and security sector.

This database will:

• enhance the ACT Government's ability to market industry strengths nationally and globally;
• enhance the ACT Government's ability to facilitate and foster industry linkages and networking; and
• provide greater understanding of industry skills shortages that the ACT Government will be able to feed into education programs.

The mapping exercise is being developed in line with Australia's Industry Capability Network, an initiative to match Australian industry capability and increase Australian industry participation by identifying import replacement opportunities.

If your organisation would like to be included in the defence and security industries capability mapping exercise, please email Business and Industry Development.

Strong level of defence infrastructure

Canberra possesses a range of defence related organisations including the:

• Defence Science and Technology Organisation;
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO);
• Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA);
• Australian Defence College;
• Australian National University;
• National ICT Centre of Excellence (NICTA);
• Royal Military College Duntroon;
• Department of Defence Head Offices;
• Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC);
• RAAF Fairbairn;
• HMAS Harman; and
• Defence Housing Authority.

The establishment of the Headquarters Joint Operations Command near Bungendore will bring new defence related expertise to the Region and will play an important role in establishing relationships between local business and the Department of Defence. The project will involve the installation of advanced information technology, communications and intelligence systems that require specialist support throughout both implementation and through-life management.

Defence related companies in Canberra

Canberra firms have demonstrated their ability to meet tough Australian and international defence specifications through the provision of their competitive, world-class technologies and high skill base. There are many large and small companies and defence contractors that compete for, and service Canberra's large defence contracts. Some of these include:

• Raytheon (which established its South East Asian headquarters in Canberra);
• Electro Optic Systems (EOS);
• The Distillery;
• CEA Technologies;
• ATI; and
• ASI Solutions.

All major national defence businesses also have a presence in Canberra

Historically, Canberra based firms have had the advantage of securing a steady stream of skilled staff. These skilled employees, many ex-defence personnel, contribute highly specialised and technical knowledge to local defence industries.

With its depth of high technology skills and infrastructure, Canberra continues to be the ideal base for defence oriented companies. The added advantage is that Canberra is the place where all major defence spending decisions are made.