Aerospace

With dynamic aerospace electronics and components industries, and the nation’s maritime surveillance hub, it’s no wonder defence is booming in this State.

Established and experienced industry

Many leading aerospace companies are based in South Australia, including:

Their strengths in aero systems range from engineering, testing and evaluation, and systems integration, to through-life support. These companies underpin Australia's strategic maritime and aerospace surveillance capabilities.

A vigorous industry cluster of innovative SMEs supports the sector. They concentrate on: 

  • software development
  • system engineering and integration
  • aerospace component manufacturing (including components for the Joint Strike Fighter project)

Leading-edge research and training capabilities

South Australia's aerospace industry, research and academic institutions lead the way in cutting-edge systems design, communications and advanced imagery solutions. 

The universities of South Australia and Adelaide have well-established systems engineering capabilities and both offer defence-related study programs. 

Key components of DSTO based at Edinburgh offer further capabilities to the State's aerospace sector:

  • Electronic Warfare Division
  • Intelligence, Surveillance and Radar Division
  • Command Control Communications and Intelligence Division 

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance hub

Edinburgh Defence Precinct is home to Australia's core intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, including:

  • RAAF Base Edinburgh, home of 92 Wing, which operates Australia's AP-3C Orions, the nation's only long-range maritime patrol aircraft
  • Defence Materiel Organisation Systems Program Offices, including Maritime Patrol, Tactical Electronic Warfare and Over the Horizon Radar 
  • Aerospace Operational Support Group, supplying intelligence and electronic warfare support and testing of existing and new Army and Air Force aircraft
  • the Jindalee Operational Radar Network Coordination Centre


Edinburgh is the proposed future home of the next generation of high-tech unmanned aerial system (Air 7000) and the Integrated Ground Environment.

Adelaide will also soon be home to Defence's new Joint Electronic Warfare Centre.

Cobham operates the world's largest civil maritime surveillance program from its base at Adelaide’s airport.

World-class Defence facilities

South Australia is home to the unique Woomera Prohibited Area, the world’s largest land-based test range. Ideal for complex air, ground and space test activities, Woomera is used by Australian and international agencies. Defence has recently committed to a major modernisation program for Woomera.

Major aerospace projects

Significant aerospace projects currently underway in South Australia include:

  • Jindalee Operational Radar Network
  • $1 billion AP-3C Orion aircraft maintenance and upgrade contract
  • contracts to the Australian and Turkish Air Force to deliver Boeing's Airborne Early Warning and Control system
  • $1 billion Project Sentinel contract - the world's largest aerial civil maritime surveillance operation