The Albanese government has promised to spend $10 billion over the next decade on technology that would be able to take down hostile drones, to protect large-scale public gatherings and military bases.
As part of the program, called Land 156, Australian companies will be given money to make lasers, signal jammers and other hardware to take down drones.
One of those companies is Leidos Australia, which will be given more than $45 million to take a lead role in supplying the anti-drone technology under a deal Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy signed in Canberra on Wednesday.
The capability will allow Defence to work with police agencies to identify and take out threats facing large public gatherings such as sporting events.
The majority of the work under the project will be delivered by Australian companies, supporting more than 160 jobs, while creating up to 80 new ones.
Mr Conroy pointed to the role of drone warfare in Ukraine and warned similar technology could be used globally.
"This is acutely relevant to every defence force, in every country. Australia is no exception," he said.
"The structure of Project Land 156 will ensure Australia stays ahead of the evolution cycle in relation to counter-drone technology, giving the ADF the capabilities it needs.
"Counter-drone technology is critical to keeping our ADF members safe, and that's why the government is ensuring our soldiers, sailors and aviators are provided with the best technology to protect them."
The defence strategic review, released in 2023, warned Australia's strategic circumstances were now "radically" different, and the nation faced the "prospect of major conflict in the region that directly threatens our national Âinterest".
6°C