Australian Defense Force Receives 300 Locally-manufactured Drones Worth A$1.5M

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has taken delivery of 300 domestically built drones worth more than A$1.5 million.

The drones were manufactured by Australian companies AMSL Aero, Boresight, and Grabba Technologies under Defence’s Sovereign UAS Challenge, an initiative aimed at accelerating homegrown drone technology for military use.

In April 2024, the three companies demonstrated their systems at a ‘fly-off’ managed by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA). Each firm then secured a A$2.2 million contract to expand production, refine prototypes, and build 100 general-purpose drones. With the latest milestone reached, 300 units have now been delivered to the Australian Army.

Defence confirmed it is acquiring additional drones valued at over A$1.5 million from the same suppliers, with further orders under consideration.

Small UAS are regarded as cost-efficient platforms capable of providing near-real-time situational awareness at low altitudes, filling a critical role alongside larger surveillance assets.

The Australian Government has approved A$600 million in funding over the next decade for airborne, surface, and subsurface drone systems. A further A$4–5 billion in unapproved funding is outlined in the 2024 Integrated Investment Program to expand drone and counter-drone capabilities.