Queensland to Manufacture New Bomb Disposal Robots
4 May 2023
The Albanese Government has signed a $46 million contract with a Queensland company to manufacture up to 80 new explosive ordnance disposal robots for Australia’s sailors, soldiers and aviators.
The new robots, to be manufactured by L3Harris Micreo, will carry cameras and sensors that have an improved ability to find, examine and neutralise improvised explosive devices and explosive hazards.
The world-leading technology will keep Australian personnel as safe as possible when operating in the field, replacing the current in-service robots, which were used in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
The Government is working closely with Australia’s defence industry, including small to medium enterprises as well as the defence primes, to both build defence capability and create local jobs, including in Queensland.
The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy made the announcement on a visit to Cairns which is set to benefit from the Albanese Government’s growing investment in Defence.
The Government is investing $3.8 billion over four years to strengthen Australia’s northern bases, in response to the Defence Strategic Review. This includes upgrades and development of critical airbases, and maritime estate investments including HMAS Cairns.
Source: Defence Press Release