Australian manufacturing businesses are among 60 companies to receive more than $22 million in funding through the latest round of the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development Grants (DIDG) program, with the investment aimed at strengthening sovereign defence capability, expanding production and supporting skilled jobs.
According to the Australian Department of Defence, the grants were awarded between November 2025 and June 2026 and will support businesses investing in advanced manufacturing, production expansion and the delivery of critical components for priority defence projects.
The recipients are involved in programs aligned with Australia’s sovereign defence capability priorities, including submarines, aerospace, guided weapons and explosive ordnance, communications systems, advanced materials, robotics and cyber security.
Among the successful applicants, Aurora Labs Ltd in Western Australia will receive $1 million to procure an advanced laser powder bed fusion machine for propulsion system manufacturing, while Victoria-based Cop-A-Mate Products Pty Ltd will receive $1 million to establish local manufacturing capability for mission-critical land vehicle armour and exhaust components.
New South Wales company Lintek Pty. Limited has been awarded $1 million to upgrade its printed circuit board production facility with advanced equipment, while Gurit Australia Pty Ltd in Queensland will receive $559,852 to establish local manufacturing capability for bespoke subsea buoyancy systems for the Ghost Shark autonomous underwater vehicle.
Other recipients include Currawong Engineering Pty Ltd in Tasmania, which will receive $184,659 for a vertical machining centre to enhance production of aerospace-grade electronic speed controllers and engines, and Northern Territory-based Micca Holdings Pty Ltd, which will receive $62,419 to acquire laser cutting and welding equipment to increase naval sustainment capability.
The Department of Defence said the latest funding round brings total investment through the program to more than $73 million since its launch in June 2024. The program provides competitive matching grants covering up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs and is designed to help Australian defence suppliers grow, innovate and contribute to national defence capability.
The grants are delivered across four streams—Exports, Skilling, Security and Sovereign Industrial Priorities—to support businesses in expanding into new markets, strengthening workforce capability, improving security standards and investing in critical technologies.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the latest funding demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting Australia’s defence sector.
“Awarding more than 200 grants in under two years is a significant milestone and demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to backing Australian defence industry and Australian jobs,” Conroy said.
He said the investments were helping businesses strengthen their capabilities while supporting the needs of the Australian Defence Force.
“These investments are helping local businesses to grow their capability, modernise operations and compete globally, while delivering the sovereign capabilities our Australian Defence Force needs now and into the future,” he said.
Conroy added that the program was supporting manufacturing, skills and security across the country.
“By supporting skills, manufacturing and security across the country, we are building a stronger, more resilient defence industry and a future made in Australia,” he said.
