DroneShield opens R&D hub at Lot Fourteen

DroneShield, a provider of counter-drone and electronic warfare solutions, is establishing a South Australian hub for advanced engineering and product development, having this week officially opened its new research and development facility at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide.

Located at a nationally recognised innovation precinct, the new R&D hub provides dedicated software development and dry laboratory facilities to support the development of DroneShield’s next-generation counter-drone technologies. Complementing the company’s existing Australian R&D operations in Sydney, the facility will create approximately 20 specialised engineering roles, focused on radio frequency electronics, electronic warfare and systems interoperability.

“DroneShield’s new facility in South Australia represents a major milestone in our continuous efforts to enhance Australia’s counter-drone capabilities,” said DroneShield Chief Executive Angus Bean, with the expansion coming as increasingly complex drone threats drive demand for continued innovation.

“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 high-tech ecosystem and DroneShield’s mission,” Bean continued.

“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.

“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 R&D facility was supported by the state government’s Investment Accelerator Program, which is designed to attract innovative, high-growth interstate companies to the state, creating more high-skilled and well-paid local jobs in priority sectors.

“DroneShield basing its R&D hub in Adelaide is a huge vote of confidence in our state’s growing defence industry,” said South Australian Minister for Defence and Space Industries Chris Picton, who attended the official opening.

“The new facility will create highly skilled jobs, boost local innovation and strengthen our national defence.”

Image caption: DroneShield officially opened its Adelaide R&D facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by South Australian Minister for Defence and Space Industries Chris Picton.