The Government has announced funding for counter-drones of up to $7 billion over the next decade. This funding, contained in the 2026 Integrated Investment Program (IIP), is more than double the funding for counter drones compared to the 2024 IIP, Australian Defence Magazine reports.
“Less than a week ago, we are announced the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program which confirmed the Albanese Government is delivering the biggest peace time increase in defence spending in our nation’s history,” Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, stated.
The Government will invest up to $22 billion over the decade on drone and counter drone capabilities.
The 2024 IIP allocated more than $10 billion on drone capability and $3 billion on counter-drone capability. The 2026 IIP builds on the delivery of sovereign drone and counter drone capabilities under the Australian Government, with almost a doubling of investment in these capabilities – taking the overall investment from $13 billion in 2024 to up to $22 billion.
“The Albanese Government and the ADF are learning the lessons from Ukraine, as well as the Middle East Conflict, and the accelerating evolution of drone warfare. It’s imperative that we work across the spectrum, whether that be in relation to drones and counter drones. It’s why we have accelerated the acquisition of an appropriate mix of drone and counter-drone capabilities. It’s why the Albanese Government will invest up to $22 billion over the next 10 years for drones, counter drones and autonomous systems, including up to $7 billion over the next decade in counter-drones,” Minister Conroy said.
Minister Conroy has announced the additional funding on Tuesday when he visited SYPAQ Systems in Melbourne.
Delivery of these capabilities has been reflective of the urgency in getting these to the warfighter – with examples including: all three Ghost Shark prototypes delivered on budget and ahead of schedule and in less than a year, Land 156 had rapidly procured hundreds of counter drone sensors and effectors and successfully demonstrated a sovereign counter drone capability.
“Mission Syracuse will exploit Australian industry’s world leading expertise in kinetic and directed energy to find, fix, track, target and engage Uncrewed Arial Vehicles (UAVs). It will significantly enhance the ADF’s ability to counter the threat posed by UAVs employed by malicious actors; domestically and abroad,” Head Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, Major General Hugh Meggitt, highlighted.
Minister Conroy has also announced two initial contracts for counter drone platforms worth approximately $31 million, to Aim Defence and SYPAQ Systems.
The investment in the two Australian-made platforms is part of the Government’s plan to spend billions more on drone and counter drone platforms, in line with the recently‑released 2026 National Defence Strategy and IIP.
With the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East showing how uncrewed aerial systems are increasingly being employed in conflict, the development of sovereign counter-drone solutions is essential to ensure the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can detect, assess and respond to these threats.
The funding will enable Aim Defence to further enhance the capability and combat readiness of its high-powered counter-drone laser system, Fractl, to counter individual and swarms of drones.
SYPAQ Systems will develop the Corvo Strike, an interceptor drone designed to track, target and destroy larger drones now commonly employed on battlefields.
ASCA will also facilitate the integration of these systems into the ADF’s existing control system being delivered under Land 156.
While Australia’s unique geography has driven a focus on larger drones, the Government’s efforts under Mission Syracuse will accelerate the deployment of advanced capabilities designed to counter medium‑sized drones and swarms of small drones that Australian personnel could encounter in complex operational environments abroad or while protecting people and infrastructure domestically.
