Latest news with #DroneShield
News.com.au
30-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Lunch Wrap: Rate cut back on menu as CPI cools; real estate stocks surge
ASX lifts as CPI cools, banks and landlords grin IGO tanks, MinRes and Pilbara cash up DroneShield soars after smashing revenue The ASX was inching up by 0.7% by Wednesday lunchtime in the eastern states. Setting the pace were real estate and the big banks, both basking in the afterglow of some surprisingly tame inflation data. Turns out, consumer prices across Australia aren't rising as fast as the RBA feared. According to the ABS this morning, the CPI rose just 0.7% over the June quarter, down from 0.9% in March. That dragged annual inflation down to 2.1%, comfortably under the market's 2.2% forecast. This is a big deal. Remember, the RBA left everyone scratching their heads earlier this month when it didn't cut interest rates. Governor Michele Bullock said she wanted to see the CPI data first, like a diner sniffing the stew before digging in. Well, the numbers are in, and they smell like rate-cut seasoning. With unemployment ticking up to 4.3% in May and inflation drifting back within the RBA's 2-3% comfort zone, economists reckon an August rate cut is back on the menu. Futures markets are already pricing one in. Lower rates also mean cheaper mortgages and more elbow room for landlords, hence why they're leading today's charge. In large cap news, IGO (ASX:IGO) plunged 9% after revealing its Kwinana lithium refinery was still acting more like a lemon than a lithium play. Production came in at just 35% of nameplate capacity, and another impairment, this one between $70 million and $90 million, is now expected. CEO Ivan Vella pulled no punches, saying IGO had 'low confidence' in the site's ability to get its act together. Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) rose 3% after meeting production and cost guidance across the board. Its Onslow Iron JV turned cash flow positive, and MinRes closed the quarter with a juicy $1.1 billion in liquidity. Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) also gained 1% after flagging higher output and lower costs in FY26. It's sitting on a $1 billion cash pile and managed a 28% revenue jump last quarter. Still in large caps and in one of the more dramatic turnarounds, counter-drone tech firm DroneShield (ASX:DRO) posted a record $38.8 million in revenue for the June quarter, up a whopping 480% year-on-year. DRO has $176 million already locked in for 2025, and a sales pipeline bursting with $2.3 billion worth of opportunities. DRO's shares surged 9%. And... Air New Zealand (ASX:AIZ) has found its next CEO, promoting chief digital officer Nikhil Ravishankar to the top job. He will replace Greg Foran in October, bringing a background in tech, infrastructure, and, according to the board, a 'fresh perspective grounded in Kiwi values'. ASX SMALL CAP WINNERS Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks for July 30 : Security Description Last % Volume MktCap OLI Oliver'S Real Food 0.010 100% 6,705,197 $2,703,660 BSA BSA Limited 0.125 39% 9,179,570 $6,777,023 MX1 Micro-X Limited 0.083 34% 1,577,987 $41,366,540 SFG Seafarms Group Ltd 0.002 33% 583,466 $7,254,899 IS3 I Synergy Group Ltd 0.012 33% 2,502,653 $15,356,699 PIM Pinnacleminerals 0.052 30% 1,332,998 $1,818,533 SP3 Specturltd 0.015 25% 4,097,386 $3,802,801 BUY Bounty Oil & Gas NL 0.003 25% 172,811 $3,122,944 ECT Env Clean Tech Ltd. 0.003 25% 4,252,072 $8,030,871 MOH Moho Resources 0.005 25% 888,795 $2,981,656 TMK TMK Energy Limited 0.003 25% 362,333 $20,444,766 IMI Infinitymining 0.011 22% 1,157,816 $3,807,142 X2M X2M Connect Limited 0.017 21% 630,275 $6,090,796 REM Remsensetechnologies 0.040 21% 150,580 $5,518,722 AAU Antilles Gold Ltd 0.006 20% 3,108,381 $11,895,340 CUF Cufe Ltd 0.012 20% 4,636,229 $13,465,749 LSR Lodestar Minerals 0.019 19% 3,927,452 $6,361,448 KZR Kalamazoo Resources 0.105 17% 4,101,528 $19,745,417 TYX Tyranna Res Ltd 0.004 17% 127,750 $9,865,276 UNT Unith Ltd 0.007 17% 49,396 $8,872,713 PPK PPK Group Limited 0.565 15% 76,329 $44,498,124 SP8 Streamplay Studio 0.008 14% 350,000 $8,969,552 CMB Cambium Bio Limited 0.330 14% 569 $5,301,973 SEQ Sequoia Fin Grp Ltd 0.270 13% 1,781,964 $29,663,256 X-ray tech outfit Micro-X (ASX:MX1) has cracked the big league in the US, signing its first supply agreement with one of America's largest healthcare providers. The deal follows a tough competitive tender and successful in-hospital trial, with the Rover Plus mobile radiology system now officially on the provider's approved procurement list. The customer runs a massive network of 700+ hospitals and facilities, treating over 8.5 million patients a year. Critical minerals explorer, Pinnacle Minerals (ASX:PIM), has secured firm commitments to raise $1.76 million via a placement to professional and sophisticated investors, priced at 4c per share with free-attaching options. Funds will go towards exploration across Canada and Australia, working capital, and assessing new opportunities. ASX SMALL CAP LOSERS Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks for July 30 : Code Name Price % Change Volume Market Cap SCP Scalare Partners 0.125 -31% 323,167 $7,530,304 M2R Miramar 0.003 -25% 1,330,881 $3,987,293 RLG Roolife Group Ltd 0.003 -25% 901,930 $6,371,125 AQC Auspaccoal Ltd 0.011 -21% 3,460,358 $9,806,546 CZN Corazon Ltd 0.002 -20% 4,000,000 $2,961,431 JAV Javelin Minerals Ltd 0.002 -20% 3,415,417 $15,630,562 EQS Equitystorygroupltd 0.023 -18% 5,543 $4,670,971 WWG Wisewaygroupltd 0.150 -17% 20,000 $30,123,575 AMS Atomos 0.005 -17% 31,450 $7,290,111 TEG Triangle Energy Ltd 0.003 -17% 35,535 $6,267,702 CDE Codeifai Limited 0.022 -15% 13,622,645 $12,269,425 COY Coppermoly Limited 0.011 -15% 92,121 $11,474,547 ENT Enterprise Metals 0.003 -14% 150 $4,799,610 GTR Gti Energy Ltd 0.003 -14% 2,271,683 $13,029,292 SMS Starmineralslimited 0.025 -14% 118,888 $5,426,093 WCE Westcoastsilver Ltd 0.130 -13% 2,843,324 $39,018,146 AXI Axiom Properties 0.020 -13% 111,786 $9,952,414 AZL Arizona Lithium Ltd 0.007 -13% 1,946,018 $43,042,516 SHP South Harz Potash 0.004 -13% 150,675 $5,132,248 CBL Control Bionics 0.035 -13% 70,000 $11,784,444 JNS Januselectricholding 0.140 -13% 192,541 $14,386,282 ZGL Zicom Group Limited 0.140 -13% 19,765 $34,329,601 RWD Reward Minerals Ltd 0.042 -13% 63,808 $13,066,539 Bowen Coking Coal (ASX:BCB) has officially waved the white flag, entering voluntary administration after failing to cut a deal with its creditors and the Queensland government. BUMA wants $15 million, the QRO wouldn't budge on royalty deferrals, and global coal prices haven't done any favours either. It's a rough exit for a miner that once held promise. Star Entertainment Group (ASX:SGR) is once again reminding everyone why casinos and smooth sailing rarely go together. Star booked a $27 million EBITDA loss in the June quarter, a slight blowout from the $24 million lost the previous quarter. Revenue was just $270 million, weighed down by ongoing struggles in NSW and the painful $500 cap on cash at the tables. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Green Critical Minerals (ASX:GCM) has announced its intention to pursue a United States listing in calendar year 2026. LAST ORDERS Challenger Gold (ASX:CEL) says refurbishment of the Casposo toll milling plant is on track for completion by August and expects to begin processing ore in November this year under its toll milling agreement with the operator. CEL will process a minimum of 450k tonnes of near-surface material from its Hualilan gold project over the next three years through Casposo, which has historically produced more than 323k ounces of gold. Trek Metals (ASX:TKM) is preparing to divest the Hendeka-South Woodie Woodie manganese project to US-based Advanced Energy Fuels, Inc after the company began the process of listing to the TSX Venture Exchange. Once listed, AEF intends to acquire Hendeka for $450k in cash and either 8 million shares or the equivalent of a 20% interest in the company. Offloading the project will allow TKM to focus on its flagship Christmas Creek gold project in WA. Trigg Minerals (ASX:TMG) has welcomed capital markets veteran James Graf to its board as a non-executive director, with the expectation he will lead efforts to list TMG on a US exchange. Graf currently serves as CEO of Graf Global Corp, his eighth SPAC entity. He has successfully closed SPAC transactions with Global Eagle Entertainment, Videocon d2h, Williams Scotsman, Target Hospitality, Velodyne Lidar, Crown LNG and NKGen. At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Challenger Gold, Trek Metals and Trigg Minerals are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Lunch Wrap: ASX steadies as DroneShield pops; GENIUS vote puts crypto in spotlight
ASX claws back as mining and energy lift DroneShield soars as it plans to triple Aussie manufacturing Bitcoin in the spotlight as GENIUS Act heads to a vote The ASX opened 0.15% down but by lunch time in the east, the local bourse had pulled off a quiet comeback, inching up toward the flatline. The early wobble came off the back of a soft Wall Street lead, after the Dow dropped 250 points on Friday and the S&P and Nasdaq followed suit. US traders were rattled after Donald Trump slapped a fresh 30% tariff on goods from the EU and Mexico, starting August 1. Not content with rattling Brussels, Trump also lobbed letters at Canada – planning 35% tariffs and calling out PM Mark Carney – and Brazil while promising 15–20% blanket duties. But despite the noise, one stock on Wall Street refused to sit still – Nvidia, which has now hit a US$4 trillion market cap. Over in crypto land, Bitcoin teased a new all-time high, flirting with US$119,000 at time of writing. And with 'Crypto Week' now underway in Washington, attention is turning to the GENIUS Act, set for a vote later tonight. The proposed legislation could mark a major turning point for stablecoins, introducing strict requirements for full cash or equivalent backing and a dual oversight model – federal for the big players, state for the smaller ones. Back home on the ASX, the mining and energy sectors were the best performers this morning. Among the large cap movers was DroneShield (ASX:DRO), which surged 7.5% after announcing a $13 million investment to triple its Aussie manufacturing footprint, with a new $2.6 billion capacity facility planned by the end of 2026. Utility billing software company Hansen Technologies (ASX:HSN) popped 12% after upgrading its FY25 earnings guidance by around 15%. Abacus Storage King (ASX:ASK) added 6% after confirming a juicier $1.65 per share bid from billionaire Nathan Kirsh's Ki Group and Public Storage, up 14.7% on their first offer. And, metals miner South32 (ASX:S32) was under pressure, falling 5% after warning that its FY26 production guidance for the Mozal smelter in Mozambique is under review. ASX SMALL CAP WINNERS Here are the best performing ASX small cap stocks for July 14 : Security Description Last % Volume MktCap ICU Investor Centre Ltd 0.002 100% 186,508 $304,511 OSX Osteopore Limited 0.018 80% 27,665,415 $1,830,431 BM1 Ballardmininglimited 0.350 40% 3,911,512 $45,922,302 ALR Altairminerals 0.004 33% 2,440,000 $12,890,233 CRR Critical Resources 0.004 33% 8,425,500 $8,310,256 SHP South Harz Potash 0.004 33% 1,444,157 $3,849,186 NVQ Noviqtech Limited 0.034 31% 742,795 $6,539,950 SVY Stavely Minerals Ltd 0.018 29% 8,323,856 $7,616,589 AMS Atomos 0.005 25% 532,090 $4,860,074 MRD Mount Ridley Mines 0.003 25% 20,343 $1,556,978 PRX Prodigy Gold NL 0.003 25% 1,019,762 $6,350,111 TMK TMK Energy Limited 0.003 25% 11,732,049 $20,444,766 LOC Locatetechnologies 0.160 23% 1,234,708 $30,440,054 USL Unico Silver Limited 0.405 23% 5,318,142 $144,521,439 PRS Prospech Limited 0.022 22% 107,509 $6,818,866 CMP Compumedics Limited 0.305 22% 88,535 $48,054,474 KNG Kingsland Minerals 0.095 22% 11,354 $5,659,751 IPB IPB Petroleum Ltd 0.006 20% 86,037 $3,532,015 TFL Tasfoods Ltd 0.006 20% 100,021 $2,185,478 TSL Titanium Sands Ltd 0.006 20% 23,739 $11,723,736 ATV Activeportgroupltd 0.013 18% 1,549,687 $7,556,748 LSR Lodestar Minerals 0.013 18% 1,390,378 $4,373,495 CC5 Clever Culture 0.020 18% 2,996,804 $30,032,035 SVL Silver Mines Limited 0.140 17% 9,139,551 $221,353,847 Osteopore (ASX:OSX) has secured market approval in Switzerland for its full range of 3D-printed cranial implants, covering both off-the-shelf and custom-made products. This clears the way for Zimmer to roll out Osteopore's full product suite in Switzerland and more broadly across Europe. Stavely Minerals (ASX:SVY) has struck a thick, high-grade gold hit at Fairview South in western Victoria, with its first RC drill hole (SFSRC001) pulling up 40m at 1.96g/t gold, including a hot 1m at 49.2g/t from just 10 metres down. The discovery looks to sit on a large 10km-plus structure, with soil sampling now underway to guide follow-up drilling in August. The prospect is part of the Stavely project, where SVY has already outlined the copper rich Cayley Lode resource. Unico Silver (ASX:USL) has hit what looks like a game-changer at La Negra, with drill hole JDD017-25 returning a standout 90m at 144g/t silver equivalent from just 10 metres down. The result expands the mineralised footprint more than a kilometre southeast of the old resource and confirms broad, shallow, high-grade oxide mineralisation that's still open in all directions. Clever Culture Systems (ASX:CC5) has landed a fresh order from Novo Nordisk in Europe for its APAS Independence instrument. The deal will allow Novo to run a formal evaluation of the tech across its global manufacturing network, comparing APAS to manual plate-reading methods for environmental monitoring. This marks another win in CCS's push to work with top-tier pharma giants. ASX SMALL CAP LOSERS Here are the worst performing ASX small cap stocks for July 14 : Code Name Price % Change Volume Market Cap AOA Ausmon Resorces 0.001 -50% 575,000 $2,622,427 EDE Eden Inv Ltd 0.001 -50% 65,000 $8,219,762 GGE Grand Gulf Energy 0.002 -33% 1,200,109 $8,461,275 BUY Bounty Oil & Gas NL 0.002 -20% 71,211 $3,903,680 ECT Env Clean Tech Ltd. 0.002 -20% 652,256 $10,038,589 TON Triton Min Ltd 0.004 -20% 25,000 $7,841,944 OLY Olympio Metals Ltd 0.097 -19% 174,269 $12,368,076 AUK Aumake Limited 0.003 -17% 50,000 $9,070,076 FBR FBR Ltd 0.005 -17% 1,164,487 $34,136,713 MSG Mcs Services Limited 0.005 -17% 600,000 $1,188,598 PRM Prominence Energy 0.003 -17% 24,999 $1,459,411 IFG Infocusgroup Hldltd 0.016 -16% 2,597,353 $5,546,844 PGY Pilot Energy Ltd 0.011 -15% 12,689,783 $28,062,580 ADY Admiralty Resources. 0.006 -14% 22,640 $18,406,356 BYH Bryah Resources Ltd 0.006 -14% 111,719 $6,789,675 IPT Impact Minerals 0.006 -14% 4,126,321 $27,953,310 TMS Tennant Minerals Ltd 0.006 -14% 561,287 $7,461,233 HWK Hawk Resources. 0.019 -14% 464,694 $5,960,448 PH2 Pure Hydrogen Corp 0.091 -13% 159,898 $39,215,486 ATH Alterity Therap Ltd 0.013 -13% 37,697,177 $136,910,560 AM5 Antares Metals 0.007 -13% 461,088 $4,118,823 IBX Imagion Biosys Ltd 0.014 -13% 5,612,769 $3,221,463 LAST ORDERS Indiana Resources (ASX:IDA) has tapped ex-Alto Metals boss Matthew Bowles as its managing director to lead the charge at its high-grade Minos gold play in the Gawler Craton. With ~$69.35m in the bank and first drill assays due end-July, Indiana says it's well-positioned to deliver on its near-term exploration and growth objectives. Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) has shipped two tonnes of lithium-rich Green River brine to POSCO in South Korea as part of due diligence for a planned demonstration plant. The brine, iron-free and processed using a non-chemical method, will be tested for lithium extraction efficiency to help shape initial engineering and cost estimates. Uvre (ASX:UVA) has completed its acquisition of high-grade NZ gold assets and also welcomed experienced mining execs Norman Seckold and Peter Nightingale to the board. With rock chip hits up to 18.4g/t gold at Waitekauri and $4m fresh in the bank, drilling's about to fire up just 8km from OceanaGold's Waihi mine. West Wits Mining (ASX:WWI) has appointed CEO Rudi Deysel as managing director, following his lead role in advancing Qala Shallows from a gold asset to a producing mine. Keith Middleton also joins the board as the company shifts gear into production. ClearVue Technologies (ASX:CPV) has launched a full-scale expenditure review as it sharpens focus on long-term growth and product innovation. The move follows board reshuffles, including the resignation of executive director Chuck Mowrey, as the solar façade disruptor works to streamline operations and ramp up global momentum. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Break it Down: DY6 Metals (ASX:DY6) has appointed a new CEO and secured $4.625 million in funding to fast-track the Central Rutile and Douala Basin Projects. At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Indiana Resources, Anson Resources, Clever Culture Systems, Uvre, West Wits Mining, ClearVue Technologies, Nordic Resources, DY6 Metals and Verity Resources are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
CNBC
10-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
DroneShield CEO: Scaling European operations to meet surge in demand
Australian counter-drone solutions firm DroneShield has secured a $40 million European military contract to be fully delivered this quarter — the company's largest single order, exceeding its entire revenue for 2024.
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Australia, Ukraine negotiate non-binding security pact
Australia is negotiating a security agreement with Ukraine to boost defence co-operation and codify support following Russia's invasion. Defence experts say such a pact could help bolster collaboration between the two nations to boost Australia's capabilities. Largely redacted briefing material prepared for Foreign Minister Penny Wong ahead of her December 2024 trip to Ukraine confirms the possibility of a security pact, but details remain classified. Of the 28 bilateral security arrangements finalised with Ukraine as of late 2024, none were legally binding or included mutual defence or security obligations, one briefing document noted. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko didn't comment on any specific provisions that had been proposed due to the sensitivities of negotiations. But he pointed to broad areas of collaboration such as intelligence sharing, drone technology and humanitarian assistance that have been covered in similar bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and other nations. The British pact pledged increased co-operation between defence companies and the Ukrainian army, including building military repair facilities and providing cyber defence technology. Humanitarian provisions are outlined in Japan's agreement, which pledges to provide medical treatment for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Japan and Ukraine also agreed to share and protect classified intelligence. Ukraine has developed sophisticated drone capabilities after the three-and-a-half-year war that followed Russia's invasion. "The innovation we have, no one in the world has it", Mr Myroshnychenko told AAP. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said the war showed drones had become central to modern warfare, "necessitating rapid innovation in counter-drone technologies". The Australian company bolstered Ukraine's defences by giving soldiers the ability to detect and disable enemy drones. A bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Australia would significantly elevate the company's ability to "operate more directly and responsively on the ground", Mr Vornik said. He pointed to an arrangement in place between DroneShield and Ukrainian operators to ensure technology could be rapidly updated to tackle emerging threats. Naval warfare expert Jennifer Parker said there were important lessons Australia could learn from Ukraine, but warned Canberra "can't lift and shift the capabilities they are using because our geography is fundamentally different". Ukraine's use of naval drones was effective at hitting Russian ships and key infrastructure such as ports, but Australia would need to project power far beyond its coastline in a conflict, she said. "Australia needs to defend the sea lines of communications, so we need to control certain parts of the ocean for certain periods of time - you can't do that with drones, you need ships," she said. Naval drones could help protect key choke-points around Australia but the benefit of intelligence sharing and defence co-operation with Ukraine would come from lessons in cyber warfare and how to mobilise a local defence industry to build weapons at scale to avoid becoming over-reliant on imports, she said. Australia is negotiating a security agreement with Ukraine to boost defence co-operation and codify support following Russia's invasion. Defence experts say such a pact could help bolster collaboration between the two nations to boost Australia's capabilities. Largely redacted briefing material prepared for Foreign Minister Penny Wong ahead of her December 2024 trip to Ukraine confirms the possibility of a security pact, but details remain classified. Of the 28 bilateral security arrangements finalised with Ukraine as of late 2024, none were legally binding or included mutual defence or security obligations, one briefing document noted. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko didn't comment on any specific provisions that had been proposed due to the sensitivities of negotiations. But he pointed to broad areas of collaboration such as intelligence sharing, drone technology and humanitarian assistance that have been covered in similar bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and other nations. The British pact pledged increased co-operation between defence companies and the Ukrainian army, including building military repair facilities and providing cyber defence technology. Humanitarian provisions are outlined in Japan's agreement, which pledges to provide medical treatment for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Japan and Ukraine also agreed to share and protect classified intelligence. Ukraine has developed sophisticated drone capabilities after the three-and-a-half-year war that followed Russia's invasion. "The innovation we have, no one in the world has it", Mr Myroshnychenko told AAP. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said the war showed drones had become central to modern warfare, "necessitating rapid innovation in counter-drone technologies". The Australian company bolstered Ukraine's defences by giving soldiers the ability to detect and disable enemy drones. A bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Australia would significantly elevate the company's ability to "operate more directly and responsively on the ground", Mr Vornik said. He pointed to an arrangement in place between DroneShield and Ukrainian operators to ensure technology could be rapidly updated to tackle emerging threats. Naval warfare expert Jennifer Parker said there were important lessons Australia could learn from Ukraine, but warned Canberra "can't lift and shift the capabilities they are using because our geography is fundamentally different". Ukraine's use of naval drones was effective at hitting Russian ships and key infrastructure such as ports, but Australia would need to project power far beyond its coastline in a conflict, she said. "Australia needs to defend the sea lines of communications, so we need to control certain parts of the ocean for certain periods of time - you can't do that with drones, you need ships," she said. Naval drones could help protect key choke-points around Australia but the benefit of intelligence sharing and defence co-operation with Ukraine would come from lessons in cyber warfare and how to mobilise a local defence industry to build weapons at scale to avoid becoming over-reliant on imports, she said. Australia is negotiating a security agreement with Ukraine to boost defence co-operation and codify support following Russia's invasion. Defence experts say such a pact could help bolster collaboration between the two nations to boost Australia's capabilities. Largely redacted briefing material prepared for Foreign Minister Penny Wong ahead of her December 2024 trip to Ukraine confirms the possibility of a security pact, but details remain classified. Of the 28 bilateral security arrangements finalised with Ukraine as of late 2024, none were legally binding or included mutual defence or security obligations, one briefing document noted. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko didn't comment on any specific provisions that had been proposed due to the sensitivities of negotiations. But he pointed to broad areas of collaboration such as intelligence sharing, drone technology and humanitarian assistance that have been covered in similar bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and other nations. The British pact pledged increased co-operation between defence companies and the Ukrainian army, including building military repair facilities and providing cyber defence technology. Humanitarian provisions are outlined in Japan's agreement, which pledges to provide medical treatment for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Japan and Ukraine also agreed to share and protect classified intelligence. Ukraine has developed sophisticated drone capabilities after the three-and-a-half-year war that followed Russia's invasion. "The innovation we have, no one in the world has it", Mr Myroshnychenko told AAP. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said the war showed drones had become central to modern warfare, "necessitating rapid innovation in counter-drone technologies". The Australian company bolstered Ukraine's defences by giving soldiers the ability to detect and disable enemy drones. A bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Australia would significantly elevate the company's ability to "operate more directly and responsively on the ground", Mr Vornik said. He pointed to an arrangement in place between DroneShield and Ukrainian operators to ensure technology could be rapidly updated to tackle emerging threats. Naval warfare expert Jennifer Parker said there were important lessons Australia could learn from Ukraine, but warned Canberra "can't lift and shift the capabilities they are using because our geography is fundamentally different". Ukraine's use of naval drones was effective at hitting Russian ships and key infrastructure such as ports, but Australia would need to project power far beyond its coastline in a conflict, she said. "Australia needs to defend the sea lines of communications, so we need to control certain parts of the ocean for certain periods of time - you can't do that with drones, you need ships," she said. Naval drones could help protect key choke-points around Australia but the benefit of intelligence sharing and defence co-operation with Ukraine would come from lessons in cyber warfare and how to mobilise a local defence industry to build weapons at scale to avoid becoming over-reliant on imports, she said. Australia is negotiating a security agreement with Ukraine to boost defence co-operation and codify support following Russia's invasion. Defence experts say such a pact could help bolster collaboration between the two nations to boost Australia's capabilities. Largely redacted briefing material prepared for Foreign Minister Penny Wong ahead of her December 2024 trip to Ukraine confirms the possibility of a security pact, but details remain classified. Of the 28 bilateral security arrangements finalised with Ukraine as of late 2024, none were legally binding or included mutual defence or security obligations, one briefing document noted. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko didn't comment on any specific provisions that had been proposed due to the sensitivities of negotiations. But he pointed to broad areas of collaboration such as intelligence sharing, drone technology and humanitarian assistance that have been covered in similar bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and other nations. The British pact pledged increased co-operation between defence companies and the Ukrainian army, including building military repair facilities and providing cyber defence technology. Humanitarian provisions are outlined in Japan's agreement, which pledges to provide medical treatment for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Japan and Ukraine also agreed to share and protect classified intelligence. Ukraine has developed sophisticated drone capabilities after the three-and-a-half-year war that followed Russia's invasion. "The innovation we have, no one in the world has it", Mr Myroshnychenko told AAP. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said the war showed drones had become central to modern warfare, "necessitating rapid innovation in counter-drone technologies". The Australian company bolstered Ukraine's defences by giving soldiers the ability to detect and disable enemy drones. A bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Australia would significantly elevate the company's ability to "operate more directly and responsively on the ground", Mr Vornik said. He pointed to an arrangement in place between DroneShield and Ukrainian operators to ensure technology could be rapidly updated to tackle emerging threats. Naval warfare expert Jennifer Parker said there were important lessons Australia could learn from Ukraine, but warned Canberra "can't lift and shift the capabilities they are using because our geography is fundamentally different". Ukraine's use of naval drones was effective at hitting Russian ships and key infrastructure such as ports, but Australia would need to project power far beyond its coastline in a conflict, she said. "Australia needs to defend the sea lines of communications, so we need to control certain parts of the ocean for certain periods of time - you can't do that with drones, you need ships," she said. Naval drones could help protect key choke-points around Australia but the benefit of intelligence sharing and defence co-operation with Ukraine would come from lessons in cyber warfare and how to mobilise a local defence industry to build weapons at scale to avoid becoming over-reliant on imports, she said.
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Australia, Ukraine negotiate non-binding security pact
Australia is negotiating a security agreement with Ukraine to boost defence co-operation and codify support following Russia's invasion. Defence experts say such a pact could help bolster collaboration between the two nations to boost Australia's capabilities. Largely redacted briefing material prepared for Foreign Minister Penny Wong ahead of her December 2024 trip to Ukraine confirms the possibility of a security pact, but details remain classified. Of the 28 bilateral security arrangements finalised with Ukraine as of late 2024, none were legally binding or included mutual defence or security obligations, one briefing document noted. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko didn't comment on any specific provisions that had been proposed due to the sensitivities of negotiations. But he pointed to broad areas of collaboration such as intelligence sharing, drone technology and humanitarian assistance that have been covered in similar bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and other nations. The British pact pledged increased co-operation between defence companies and the Ukrainian army, including building military repair facilities and providing cyber defence technology. Humanitarian provisions are outlined in Japan's agreement, which pledges to provide medical treatment for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Japan and Ukraine also agreed to share and protect classified intelligence. Ukraine has developed sophisticated drone capabilities after the three-and-a-half-year war that followed Russia's invasion. "The innovation we have, no one in the world has it", Mr Myroshnychenko told AAP. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said the war showed drones had become central to modern warfare, "necessitating rapid innovation in counter-drone technologies". The Australian company bolstered Ukraine's defences by giving soldiers the ability to detect and disable enemy drones. A bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Australia would significantly elevate the company's ability to "operate more directly and responsively on the ground", Mr Vornik said. He pointed to an arrangement in place between DroneShield and Ukrainian operators to ensure technology could be rapidly updated to tackle emerging threats. Naval warfare expert Jennifer Parker said there were important lessons Australia could learn from Ukraine, but warned Canberra "can't lift and shift the capabilities they are using because our geography is fundamentally different". Ukraine's use of naval drones was effective at hitting Russian ships and key infrastructure such as ports, but Australia would need to project power far beyond its coastline in a conflict, she said. "Australia needs to defend the sea lines of communications, so we need to control certain parts of the ocean for certain periods of time - you can't do that with drones, you need ships," she said. Naval drones could help protect key choke-points around Australia but the benefit of intelligence sharing and defence co-operation with Ukraine would come from lessons in cyber warfare and how to mobilise a local defence industry to build weapons at scale to avoid becoming over-reliant on imports, she said.
