The Palaszczuk Government is partnering with a Queensland company on the cutting edge of new defence technology soon set to be exported overseas.
Innovation Minister Kate Jones today revealed the government would support Kedron business GaardTech to commercialise its unique advanced military targets for defence training purposes.
“This is about creating new jobs in Queensland. Defence is a rapidly growing global industry. That’s why we’re supporting a local businesses to tap into this industry and export from Queensland.”
GaardTech’s new target product is able to replicate any three-dimensional target using cutting-edge technology.
“The company has already proven the demand for their technology with Army and Airforce contracts with the Australian Defence Force and there’s strong interest from other allied military forces,” said Innovation Minister Kate Jones.
“They need help to employ more staff and commercialise their technology – we’re providing that support.”
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister and Member for Stafford Dr Anthony Lynham said today’s announcement was a win for a great local business.
“This is an amazing achievement for an Australian-owned Kedron-based business that is now being recognised across the world as a leader in defence technology,” Dr Lynham said.
“This will also provide a great flow on effect for jobs and other businesses in the region,” he said.
GaardTech founding director Steen Bisgaard, a 10 year veteran who served with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in the Australian Army, said GaardTech was the first company globally to invent a full-size, steel, robotic military training system, which was flat packed, cost-effective and able to replicate any emerging threat to a high visual and thermal accuracy.
“This Ignite Ideas funding will allow us to present the high fidelity training systems to allied forces the world over and expand our market with exports to the United States and EU countries,” he said.
“We expect to see rapid growth for our Brisbane office as sales and contracts emerge. Any exports will also result in an increase in locally fabricated products from GaardTech’s Brisbane based steel supply chain.”
