Australian counter-drone device-maker DroneShield will spend $13 million setting up a new research and development facility in Adelaide, creating 20 high-skilled engineering roles.
The new site, to be led by former Lockheed Martin Australia engineering leader Jeff Wojtiuk, will focus on advanced radio frequency and electronic warfare (EW) systems.
It joins DroneShield’s Sydney headquarters and complements the company’s growing international network of manufacturing and R&D centres.
DroneShield chief executive Oleg Vornik said Adelaide was chosen for its depth of engineering talent and strong defence and aerospace ecosystem.
“Establishing our first R&D office in Australia outside of our Sydney Headquarters – in Adelaide – is a strategic move that supports DroneShield’s mission to deliver world-leading counter-drone and EW solutions,” he said.
The new facility comes as DroneShield continues a rapid global scale-up. Over the past year, the company has nearly doubled its team and expanded annual production capacity targets from $500 million to $2.4 billion by the end of 2026.
The Adelaide expansion follows DroneShield’s recent $13 million Sydney facility announcement, its first overseas manufacturing plant in Europe, and new contracts with the US Department of Defense that have pushed global sales past 4,000 systems.
The company is also growing its US R&D presence as part of efforts to meet surging demand amid a spike in global drone activity.
DroneShield chief product and technology officer Angus Bean said the new Adelaide operation “marks a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring our technology roadmap is being supported by the best engineering minds nationally”.
The facility is expected to be fully operational by March 2026.
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