SYPAQ Opens Defence Autonomy Centre Of Excellence
11 April 2022
SYPAQ Systems (SYPAQ) today hosted the Hon Martin Pakula MP, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery and Minister for Business Precincts, to mark the official opening of the new Defence Autonomy Centre of Excellence (DACE.
Announced in June last year, the DACE has been established with direct support from the Victorian Government and aims to make Fisherman’s Bend a hub for innovation and manufacturing of small autonomous systems for defence intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
The facility is forecast to create 280 new jobs over the next five years and generate an additional $45 million of annual expenditure when fully realised.
As part of the opening event, Minister Pakula addressed staff and witnessed a demonstration of SYPAQ’s CorvoTM product line in the DACE’s indoor flight test facility.
Speaking after the event, SYPAQ CEO, Amanda Holt, said:
“It was an honour to host Minister Pakula to officially open the Defence Autonomy Centre of Excellence.
“The capabilities our team is developing in the Fisherman’s Bend precinct are genuinely world leading, and we’re proud to continue to grow our team in Australia’s aviation heritage precinct.”
SYPAQ’s General Manager – Innovation and Strategic Programs, Michael Partridge, said:
“The DACE will be a game-changing capability for SYPAQ that will ensure we can continue to develop sovereign industrial capabilities for defence in Victoria.”
“The support shown by the Victorian Government has allowed SYPAQ to further invest in our own innovation and R&D programs, and is enabling us to compete against international primes for defence contracts.”
SYPAQ is a wholly Australian, veteran-owned and operated company which has provided sovereign, secure, complex technology solutions and services to the Australian Department of Defence since 1992. To support its portfolio of technology and innovation programs, SYPAQ employs approximately 200 staff across Australia in advanced engineering, computer science, and project support services.
In March, SYPAQ submitted its response to the Land 129 Phase 4B Request for Tender, proposing the CorvoX as a man-portable small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) for the Australian Army.
Source: SYPAQ media release