Australia Announces Counter Drone Systems for Ukraine
Australia is sending counter-drone systems to Ukraine as part of a military assistance package worth 20 million Australian dollars ($12.71 million).
The number of DroneShield systems and their configuration have not been disclosed.
The New South Wales firm produces a range of countermeasure systems such as the hand-held Drone Gun and the vehicle-mounted DroneSentry-X.
It comes as an Australian defense firm Electro Optic Systems announced sending 10 Slinger air defense systems to Ukraine to combat Russian kamikaze drones.
3D Printers, Demining Equipment
Additional systems in the package include Minelab’s demining equipment, Micro-X’s portable x-ray machines, and a 3D metal printer from SPEE3D.
SPEE3D earlier sent seven WarpSPEE3D 3D metal printers to Ukraine through the Department of Defense’s Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
They help rapidly produce critical repair parts for military equipment such as vehicles and guns.
Over $500 Million in Assistance
The latest package brings the overall Australian assistance to Ukraine to around 910 million Australian dollars ($575 million), including Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, heavy artillery, critical ammunition, and contributions to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.
A Royal Australian Air Force early-warning aircraft has also been deployed in Germany to protect humanitarian and military assistance arriving in Ukraine.
“Australia remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“This contribution will provide Ukraine with some of the best capabilities in the world, while investing in Australia’s sovereign defense industry and technology sector.”
