Press Conference, Melbourne | Defence Ministers
AI Analysis
The Australian Government, in partnership with SYPAQ, announced funding for counter-drone technologies, highlighting the development of the Corvo Strike, an interceptor drone and loitering munition. This initiative supports the Australian Defence Force's capabilities in modern warfare, emphasizing sovereign and adaptive technologies.
Key Takeaways
- SYPAQ partners with the Australian Government for counter-drone technology development.
- Corvo Strike is an interceptor drone and loitering munition targeting multiple threat types.
- The project is part of Mission Syracuse with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).
- The initiative emphasizes sovereign, Australian-designed and manufactured capabilities.
- The announcement underscores the importance of drones in modern asymmetric warfare.
Why It Matters
This development enhances Australia's defense capabilities against evolving drone threats, ensuring the Australian Defence Force is equipped with cutting-edge technology. It also strengthens Australia's defense industrial base by promoting local innovation and manufacturing, crucial for maintaining strategic autonomy and operational readiness in modern conflict scenarios.
Press Conference, Melbourne | Defence Ministers
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Press Conference, Melbourne
The Hon Pat Conroy MP
Minister for Defence Industry
Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Media contact
General enquiries
21 April 2026
SUBJECTS: Announcement of counter-drone defence funding
AMANDA HOLT, SYPAQ MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CEO: As a wholly Australian-owned business, SYPAQ is proud to partner with the Australian Government and the Department of Defence to deliver trusted, sovereign and adaptive drone and counter-drone technologies to the ADF and our allies. Today we are pleased to be a part of the announcement which backs the Australian defence industrial base, accelerating innovation to deliver cutting-edge capabilities that are shaping the modern battle space.
Working with ASCA through Mission Syracuse, SYPAQ is developing the next generation of our Corvo family of autonomous systems. Together we will deliver Corvo Strike, an interceptor drone and loitering munition capable of attacking air, ground, littoral and riverine threats which we’ve developed through our operationally proven capabilities currently deployed in battle spaces such as the Ukraine.
Corvo Strike proudly delivers 100 per cent Australian designed, developed and manufactured sovereign capability, built right here in Melbourne by the young men and women who call SYPAQ part of home. We are proud of our local engineers, our technicians and our support staff who make sovereign capability a reality here each and every day. This allows us to continue to innovate our core technology and ensure enduring relevance in a rapidly evolving threat environment.
We would like to thank Minister Conroy and Major General Hugh Meggitt for both being here today and their continued support to the Australian defence industry. Please join me in welcoming Minister Conroy.
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY PAT CONROY: Thanks Amanda, for having us here at SYPAQ, and I want to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet and pay my respects to elders past, present and future, and pay respects to any serving personnel here.
Can I acknowledge that we’ve got representatives from SYPAQ, AIM and NIOA, three critical partners for the Australian Defence Force with us, as well as Major General Hugh Meggitt, Head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, or ASCA.
Today we’re standing in front of what is the modern face of warfare, which is drones and drone defences. Anyone who has seen vision of the conflict in Ukraine or the current conflict in the Middle East understands the ability of drones and so-called asymmetric warfare to pose challenges for conventional military forces. And its incumbent upon the Australian Government to give the best equipment to the Australian Defence Forc