Latest Defence Sector News

Symal Group Limited is acquiring an 80% stake in Davison Earthmovers for $23.2 million, marking a strategic expansion into South Australia's civil infrastructure market. The acquisition is expected to be earnings accretive from the first year and includes significant plant and equipment assets.

Electro Optic Systems has secured a US$21 million order for its R400 Remote Weapon System from a North American customer, boosting its contract backlog to over A$400 million and setting the stage for strong revenue growth in 2026 and 2027.

Saunders International has landed a $20 million subcontract to upgrade fuel infrastructure at RAAF Base Learmonth, marking a strategic expansion in Western Australia’s defence sector.

PeopleIN Limited has announced the sale of its Health and Community brands to Healthcare Australia for $20.25 million, unlocking capital to fuel growth in infrastructure, defence, and agriculture sectors.

DroneShield has landed a $49.6 million contract to supply handheld counterdrone systems to a European military customer, with deliveries and payments expected to complete by Q1 2026.

Symal Group has locked in a $300 million revolving debt facility with major Australian banks, enhancing its financial flexibility to support strategic growth and acquisitions.

Aurora Labs has signed a landmark MOU with European defence giant MBDA to explore integrating its 3D-printed turbojet engines into advanced missile systems, marking a significant step into international defence markets.

The Australian Treasurer has approved Hanwha Corporation’s increase of its direct equity stake in Austal Limited from 9.9% to 19.9%, setting the stage for potential strategic partnerships as Austal rides a wave of record revenues and defence contracts.

Bhagwan Marine has locked in a five-year, $75 million contract for its Coral Knight vessel with Jadestone Energy, reinforcing its foothold in Australia's offshore energy sector.

PeopleIN Group reported a challenging FY25 with revenue down 6.5% and EBITDA down 10%, yet strengthened its balance sheet through debt reduction and a strategic sale. The company is poised to capitalise on Queensland's infrastructure boom and Defence sector opportunities.

Atturra Limited reported a robust 24% increase in both revenue and underlying EBITDA for FY25, propelled by its cloud platform, AI innovations, and defence sector contracts. The company forecasts continued momentum into FY26 with ambitious growth targets.

Cobalt Blue Holdings has significantly upgraded the economics of its Kwinana Cobalt Refinery project, driven by a sharp rebound in cobalt prices following market disruptions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company is advancing towards a Final Investment Decision with key permits and supply agreements in place.