DroneShield, a leader in counter-drone technology, has chosen Adelaide as the site for its new $13 million research and development facility, a strategic move that underscores the city’s growing role in advanced defence technology. The facility, set to open in March, will focus on radio frequency electronics, electronic warfare, and systems integration, creating 20 high-tech engineering jobs.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for global defence spending, particularly in the context of NATO’s decision to increase military budgets—a commitment with which Australia has been reluctant to align. DroneShield’s expansion aligns with the surge in demand for counter-drone solutions, driven by the escalating use of unmanned systems in modern warfare. The company, which manufactures gun-like devices designed to disrupt drone communications, has seen its workforce nearly double to 400 employees in the past year, including 300 engineers.
Adelaide was selected for its proximity to leading defence and aerospace groups, its highly skilled engineering workforce, and its established infrastructure supporting advanced defence technology development. “DroneShield’s new R&D facility in Adelaide marks a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring our technology roadmap is being supported by the best engineering minds nationally,” said Angus Bean, DroneShield’s Chief Product and Technology Officer. “Our new facility is critical to accelerating the development of our next-generation counter-drone and electronic warfare technologies, while expanding our engineering footprint and supporting critical project development for global customers.”
The facility will be led by Jeff Wojtiuk, a former senior engineer at Lockheed Martin, and will include an anechoic chamber—a foam-padded room designed to eliminate radio frequency reflections and echoes, allowing for precise testing of counter-drone technology.
DroneShield’s expansion into Adelaide follows a $61.6 million contract with a European military, further cementing its position as a key player in the defence sector. The company plans to expand its annual production capacity from $500 million to $2.4 billion by the end of 2026, including the establishment of manufacturing centres in Europe and the US, and the expansion of R&D activities into the US.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the move, highlighting the state’s growing reputation as a hub for defence innovation. “We welcome DroneShield making the choice to conduct research and development here in Adelaide, creating 20 highly skilled engineering roles,” he said. “As a government, we have a strong focus on growing our research and development ecosystem, which has the capacity to build our economic complexity and our state’s prosperity.”
This development signals a broader trend in the defence sector, where collaboration between industry and government is driving technological advancements and economic growth. As DroneShield continues to push the boundaries of counter-drone technology, its Adelaide facility will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electronic warfare and defence innovation.