The Australian Department of Defence’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) has awarded $6.6 million in contracts to three Australian companies – including Grabba Technologies – as part of the Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge.
This initiative aims to establish a sovereign drone manufacturing capability, mitigating security and supply chain risks associated with commercial drones, and enabling Defence and other government agencies to benefit from economies of scale. The companies are expected to commercialise their prototypes by year’s end and commence production thereafter.
Head Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, Professor Emily Hilder, emphasised the importance of industry collaboration in rapidly achieving valuable sovereign capabilities.