Australia will buy as many as 14 muti-mission phased array radars from CEA Technologies, the defence tech manufacturer acquired by the federal governments in 2023.
Defence minister Richard Marles announced the $272 million purchase from the Canberra-based firm on Wednesday, with the first radars to be delivered to the Australian Army from 2027.
It is the latest move by the government to shift Defence from a balanced force structure to an integrated, focused force – a key recommendation in last year’s National Defence Strategy.
On Tuesday, the government revealed it would shift the Australian Strategic Capabilities Accelerator to its Vice-Chief of the Defence Force Group, in part to achieve this recommended structure.
The new LAND8113 phase two contract with CEA will bolster the Army’s long-range fire capabilities while also providing greater visibility of potential threats “after a decade of neglect”, Mr Marles said.
“This will contribute to the security of our region and help keep Australians safe while also supporting a world-leading defence business and local jobs,” he said on Wednesday.
The radars will be built in Fsyhwick, Canberra and be delivered to the Edinburgh Defence precinct in South Australia, where they will be based with the recently restructured 10th Fires Brigade.
“CEA Technologies is one of Defence’s most critical suppliers. These domestically manufactured radars are testament to the ingenuity and expertise in Australia’s defence industry,” Defence Industry minister Pay Conroy said.
In April 2023, the federal government took majority ownership in CEA Technologies in a deal understood to be worth around $500 million. As of last month, the government owns a 72 per cent share.
As a Government Business Enterprise, CEO Technologies has continued to provide radar technologies – which the government has described as unrivalled – to Defence, including to the Royal Australia Navy.
It has a number of current contracts with Defence, including one for communication devices and services signed at a cost of $1.03 billion in November last year – its biggest ever deal with the government, according to AusTender.
“We need to be seeing more manufacturing in this country, and we need to be seeing more high-tech manufacturing, and you do not get higher tech manufacturing than what goes on here at CEA Technologies,” Mr Marles added.
“CEA contributes its radars across the Australian Defence Force. But not just that, CEA exports to the United States. They are one of the great success stories of our defence industry.”
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