Global defence company expands in South Australia
A global leader in counter-drone and electronic warfare solutions, DroneShield, officially opens its new research and development (R&D) hub at Lot Fourteen innovation district.
The company’s new hub will be a base for advanced engineering and product development, growing high-skilled technology jobs and contributing to the state’s status as a national leader in defence innovation and technology development.
The company’s new hub will be a base for advanced engineering and product development, growing high-skilled technology jobs and contributing to the state’s status as a national leader in defence innovation and technology development.
Approximately 20 specialised engineering roles will be created at the facility, focused on radio frequency electronics, electronic warfare and systems interoperability, to directly support DroneShield’s mission to deliver cutting-edge counter-drone technologies.
The company has selected Lot Fourteen innovation district for its new hub, which boasts 160 innovative organisations from global tech leaders, renowned researchers and defence primes, including, from 2028, BAE Systems Australia and Adelaide University’s Australian Defence Technologies Academy.
“South Australia is recognised as a national leader in defence and space industries, with Adelaide home to exceptional engineering talent,” said Angus Bean, Chief Executive, DroneShield. “Establishing at Lot Fourteen, our first dedicated R&D facility outside of our headquarters is a natural step, given the strong alignment between the innovation district’s defence and hi-tech ecosystem and DroneShield’s mission.
“We know that the innovation ecosystem at Lot Fourteen ensures we’re operating in a culture of innovation and cross-sector collaboration between startups, corporates, researchers and government,” he continued.
“DroneShield’s new facility in South Australia represents a major milestone in our continuous efforts to enhance Australia’s counter-drone capabilities.
“Thanks to support from the South Australian Government, we’re able to accelerate our establishment in the state to continue to develop our world-leading capability, all while supporting national security and creating high skilled engineering jobs in South Australia.”
The South Australian Government’s Investment Accelerator Program has supported DroneShield’s new R&D Hub to expand in the state. The invitation-only funding program is designed to attract innovative, high-growth interstate and international companies to South Australia, creating more highly skilled and well-paid local jobs in priority sectors.