DroneShield invests AUD $13 million in new Adelaide R&D centre
DroneShield is set to invest AUD $13 million in establishing a new research and development facility in Adelaide, creating approximately 20 specialised engineering roles within the city.
The new facility, which forms part of DroneShield's ongoing expansion across Australia and internationally, will focus on advanced technologies in electronic warfare (EW) and radio frequency (RF) systems. Jeff Wojtiuk, a local defence industry expert with over two decades' experience in defence and aerospace engineering, will lead the Adelaide operation. Wojtiuk brings extensive expertise from senior roles at Lockheed Martin Australia, where he contributed to the development of advanced radar and communications technologies.
According to DroneShield, the decision to select Adelaide was influenced by the city's strong base of global defence and aerospace organisations, its skilled engineering workforce, and established advanced technology infrastructure. The investment covers three years of operational and capital expenditure, and will help drive technology development for both national and international defence markets.
The new facility is expected to be operational by March 2026. It will support DroneShield's ongoing growth in engineering and production capacity, as the company seeks to increase its annual production capability from AUD $500 million to AUD $2.4 billion by the end of 2026. This expansion aligns with other company initiatives, including new manufacturing in Sydney, Europe, and the United States, and further research and development growth in the US market.
Workforce and recruitment
DroneShield recently surpassed 400 employees globally, nearly doubling its workforce over the past year and more than quadrupling it over the last two years. Of these, around 300 are software and hardware engineers, and the company currently has about 100 open roles in support of its technology roadmap and customer commitments.
The expansion in South Australia will initially create around 20 high-skill jobs, with focus areas including RF electronics, electronic warfare, and systems integration. These roles are intended to enhance DroneShield's technical capacities and support ongoing project development for global defence clients.
Government support
Premier of South Australia, The Hon Peter Malinauskas, said, "South Australia is the Defence State, and has been recognised by the Business Council as the best place in the country to do business. We welcome DroneShield making the choice to conduct research and development here in Adelaide, creating 20 highly skilled engineering roles. As a Government, we have a strong focus on growing our Research and Development ecosystem, which has the capacity to build our economic complexity and our state's prosperity."
Strategic growth
DroneShield Chief Executive, Oleg Vornik, said, "South Australia is recognised as a national leader in defence and space industries, with Adelaide home to a highly skilled and experienced workforce. 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. "DroneShield's growth to 400 employees globally - with the majority of our team being engineers - reflects our commitment to deep technical capability and delivery."
The new facility is intended to accelerate the development of next-generation counter-drone and EW technologies. The firm has indicated that this facility will help expand its engineering footprint nationally and support critical projects for customers globally.
DroneShield Chief Product and Technology Officer, Angus Bean, said, "DroneShield's new R&D facility in Adelaide marks a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring our technology roadmap is being supported by the best engineering minds nationally. Our new facility is critical to accelerating the development of our next-generation counter-drone and EW technologies, while expanding our engineering footprint and supporting critical project development for global customers."
Leadership in Adelaide
Jeff Wojtiuk, who will lead the Adelaide facility, is regarded for his background in RF design, EW, and complex systems integration. With extensive senior engineering experience, particularly at Lockheed Martin Australia, he is expected to play a key role in defining the facility's technical direction and supporting DroneShield's overall strategy.
This investment comes as DroneShield responds to increased global demand and the rising incidence of drone attacks, expanding its operations in line with growth in Australia and abroad.
