A long standing commitment to the Defence sector

1907

Defence science begins in Australia.

1940

Department of Munitions established. Salisbury Explosives Factory and Finsbury Munitions Factory built within rural environs of Adelaide.

1947

Long Range Weapons Establishment formed in Salisbury, South Australia to support the guided weapons facility at Woomera.

1955

Long Range Weapons Establishment and all the Salisbury laboratories amalgamated to form the Weapons Research Establishment.

RAAF Base Edinburgh established near Salisbury, superseding Mallala.

1974

As a result of Defence restructuring, the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO) is created

1990.02

Building begins on Australia’s Collins Class Submarine at Osborne South Australia

2004

Torpedo Systems Centre and Maritime Experimentation Laboratory opened at DSTO Edinburgh

2005.12

South Australian government established Port Adelaide Maritime Corporation (PAMC) and was disbanded in August 2007, being replaced by Defence SA

2007

Defence SA starts construction of Australia’s premier shipyard – Techport Australia – at Osborne

2007.09

Defence SA begins operation

2009.05

Australian government announced Australia’s future submarines (Attack Class) would be constructed at Osborne South Australia

2010.02

Techport Australia officially completed and launched

2017.05

As part of the Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan, Osborne, South Australia announced as the build location for Australia’s Future Frigates (SEA5000) and Offshore Patrol Vessels.

2020.05

Australia’s third (and last) Air Warfare Destroyer (HMAS Sydney) is commissioned.

Proof Range established at Port Wakefield.

1929

Munitions Supply Laboratories established at Finsbury, South Australia (In 1948 renaming to Defence Research Laboratory).

Anglo-Australian Joint Project established at Woomera, with aviation support at RAAF Base Mallala.

1946

Three new laboratories formed in Salisbury – High Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory, Propulsion Research Laboratory and the Electronics Research Laboratory, collectively known as the Chemistry & Physics Research Laboratory.

1949

WRESAT, Australia’s first artificial satellite, was built and launched (from Woomera South Australia)

1967

Surveillance Research Laboratory and Electronics Research Laboratory merge to form the Electronics & Surveillance Research Laboratory headquartered in Salisbury, leaving only two laboratories in DSTO.

1982

Electronics & Surveillance Research Laboratory complex rationalised and new “Knowledge Systems Building” in Edinburgh, South Australia, (the newly renamed part of Salisbury containing DSTO.

1997

Osborne was identified as the primary shipbuilder for the AWD project, and the AWD Alliance was formed later that year to organise and implement the project.

2005.05

South Australian government awards construction contract of Techport Australia to McConnell Dowell / Built Environs joint venture

2006.06

South Australian government announced the establishment of Defence SA

2007.07

Cobham Aviation Services supplied, modified and integrated the on-board mission systems for 10 Dash 8 maritime surveillance aircraft, and now operates and maintains the aircraft.

2008

Construction on Australia’s first Air Warfare Destroyer commences at Osborne, South Australia

2009.05

South Australian government agrees to establish the Defence Innovation Partnership

2016.11

The Defence Innovation Partnership is launched.

2017.11
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