DroneShield (ASX:DRO) is expanding its Australian footprint with a $13 million investment to establish a new research and development facility in Adelaide, South Australia, strengthening the state’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced defence and aerospace technology.
Expanding into Australia’s Defence Capital
The three-year investment will fund operational and capital expenditure to build a dedicated counter-drone and electronic warfare (EW) R&D site, creating around 20 high-skilled engineering roles. The new facility will focus on radiofrequency (RF) electronics, EW and systems integration, enhancing DroneShield’s capacity to develop next-generation defence technologies.
DroneShield Chief Executive Oleg Vornik said the expansion aligns with the company’s broader mission to deliver world-leading counter-drone and EW solutions.
“South Australia is recognised as a national leader in defence and space industries, with Adelaide home to a highly skilled and experienced workforce,” Mr Vornik said.
He described the new site as a strategic move for the company, marking its first Australian R&D office outside its Sydney headquarters.
“Establishing our first R&D office in Australia outside of our Sydney headquarters – in Adelaide – is a strategic move that supports DroneShield’s mission to deliver world-leading counter-drone and EW solutions.”
Industry Opportunity
The announcement comes amid record global demand for counter-drone systems, as governments and defence agencies increase investment in technologies to protect assets and personnel from drone-based threats. DroneShield’s expansion in Adelaide complements ongoing manufacturing initiatives in Sydney, Europe and the US, as the company scales production to meet international demand.
Engineering Growth and Capability
DroneShield this week surpassed 400 employees globally, a milestone that underscores its rapid growth in recent years. The company has nearly doubled its headcount in the past 12 months and more than quadrupled it over the last two years. Around 300 employees are engineers, and approximately 100 positions remain open.
Mr Vornik said the company’s expansion reflects its deep technical commitment.
“DroneShield’s growth to 400 employees globally – with the majority of our team being engineers – reflects our commitment to deep technical capability and delivery.”
New Leadership at the Helm
The new Adelaide R&D facility will be led by Jeff Wojtiuk, a veteran defence engineer with more than two decades of experience in RF design, EW and complex systems integration. Wojtiuk previously held senior roles at Lockheed Martin Australia and has worked on major radar and communications programs. His expertise will be key in shaping the facility’s technical direction.
DroneShield Chief Product and Technology Officer Angus Bean said the Adelaide site will accelerate development across the company’s technology roadmap.
“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,” he said.
“Our new facility is critical to accelerating the development of our next-generation counter-drone and EW technologies, while expanding our engineering footprint and supporting critical project development for global customers.”
State Government Support
The move has been welcomed by the South Australian Government, which continues to position the state as a leader in defence innovation.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said DroneShield’s investment reflects the state’s growing appeal for high-tech industries.
“South Australia is the Defence State and has been recognised by the Business Council as the best place in the country to do business,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“We welcome DroneShield making the choice to conduct research and development here in Adelaide, creating 20 highly skilled engineering roles.”
Building for the Future
The Adelaide site is expected to be fully operational by March 2026. It forms part of DroneShield’s wider expansion strategy, which includes scaling annual production capacity from $500 million to $2.4 billion by the end of 2026 through new manufacturing hubs in Europe and the US.
While the financial contribution of the Adelaide R&D facility is yet to be quantified, the company expects it will become a material revenue driver over time as demand for counter-drone and EW technologies continues to rise globally.
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