With drones now ubiquitous on the battlefield and demonstrating devastating impact in recent conflicts, Australia has announced increased investment in its military counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities.
On 21 April, the Australian Department of Defence unveiled plans to invest up to A$7 billion (US$5 billion) in counter-drone capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under the 2026 Integrated Investment Program (IIP). This more than doubles current funding.
Unveiled on 17 April, the IIP 2026 calls for the “continued development of counter-small UAS and associated command and control in collaboration with industry”.
The accompanying 2026 National Defence Strategy also calls for new and sustained investment in C-UAS to enhance Australian Army force protection, both domestically and on deployed operations.
Australia’s counter-UAS programmes fall under Project Land 156, with Defence aiming to upgrade and refresh capabilities to address evolving drone threats.
This is complemented by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Mission Syracuse, which focuses on the development of capabilities to counter medium-sized drones and drone swarms.
As part of the announcement, contracts with two Australian companies were unveiled.
The first recipient, AIM Defence, will receive A$21.3 million to further develop its high-energy laser system that is called Fractl. The portable platform is designed to detect, track and neutralise both individual drones and coordinated swarms.
The other, Sypaq Systems, was awarded A$10.4 million to develop the Corvo Strike interceptor drone. This aircraft is designed to track and neutralise larger UAS, including one-way attack platforms such as the Iranian Shahed-136.
ASCA will facilitate the integration of these systems into the ADF’s existing command-and-control systems being delivered under Land 156.
Major General Hugh Meggitt, who is Head of ASCA, said during the announcement, “Mission Syracuse will exploit Australian industry’s world-leading expertise in kinetic and directed energy to find, fix, track, target and engage uncrewed aerial vehicles.”
by Roy Choo
