What DefendTex does

DefendTex is an Australian-owned defence technology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Melbourne (Dandenong), Victoria. It designs, develops, and manufactures a diversified portfolio of tactical defence products across air, land, and sea domains — including the Drone40, Drone81, Drone155, and Vengeance FPV unmanned aerial vehicles (the last a low-cost bind-and-fly FPV drone), the Banshee unmanned ground vehicle, and the Hydra unmanned sea vehicle — alongside precision guided weapons such as the RPG40-G long-range soldier-portable munition, Low Profile and Covert Body Armour, the OC38 non-combustible pepper spray for law enforcement, and civil/commercial pyrotechnics. Underlying technology includes Australia's first completely additively manufactured Rotating Detonation Engine (ground-tested over 750 times, delivering a 10–20% efficiency gain over traditional rocket motors), 3D-printed rocket boosters for responsive space access, and novel plasma-assisted ammonium perchlorate production, supported by a Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing Facility at Lang Lang, Victoria.

Name

DefendTex

Legal name

DefendTex

Website

https://defendtex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DefendTex is an Australian-owned defence technology company founded in 2014 that designs and manufactures unmanned aerial, ground, and sea systems, precision guided weapons, body armour, less-lethal weapons, and advanced propulsion technologies for Australian and allied military and law enforcement customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Technology and Munitions

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing (332993), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Explosives, Energetics & Pyrotechnics (Military-Grade) (IMABAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Artillery, Mortar & Tank Munitions (IMABAHAH), Bombs, Depth Charges & Aerial Delivered Ordnance (IMABAHAI)

Keywords

• Unmanned aerial vehicles
• Precision guided munitions
• Loitering munitions
• Rotating detonation engines
• Military body armour

Headquarters

HQ city

Dandenong

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defence Product Sales: Sale of manufactured defence products including unmanned systems (UAV/UGV/USV), precision guided weapons, loitering munitions, body armour, OC spray, pyrotechnics, and other defence equipment to military and law enforcement customers worldwide.
2. Research and Development Services: Collaborative research engagements with universities, defence science groups, and government agencies through CRC-P programmes and bilateral research agreements. Services include prototyping, testing, and development of novel defence technologies.
3. Civil and Commercial Pyrotechnics: Manufacturing and sale of pyrotechnics and smoke canisters for civilian applications including maritime/aviation distress signalling, emergency services training, construction/tunnelling, oil and gas, mining, film/entertainment, security training, and environmental testing.
4. Maritime Services: DefendTex Horizon maritime research vessel available for charter.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DefendTex designs and manufactures defence technologies for allied military and law enforcement customers, including unmanned aerial, ground and sea vehicles, loitering munitions and precision guided weapons, body armour systems, less-lethal OC spray, advanced propulsion technologies (Rotating Detonation Engine, 3D printed rocket boosters), and civil/commercial pyrotechnics. The company also conducts collaborative defence R&D through over 30 university and government research partnerships.

Product overview

DefendTex is an international Australian defence company offering a diversified portfolio of defence technologies across land, sea, and air domains. The product portfolio centers on autonomous unmanned systems (Drone40, Drone81, Drone155, and Vengeance FPV UAVs; Hydra unmanned sea vehicles; Banshee unmanned ground vehicles), precision guided weapons including the RPG40-G long-range guided munition, protective systems (Low Profile and Covert Body Armour), less lethal weapons (OC38 pepper spray), pyrotechnics and smoke products for civilian applications, and advanced propulsion research including Rotating Detonation Engines and 3D printed rocket boosters. The company also develops advanced manufacturing capabilities for energetic materials and rocket motors at its Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing Facility in Lang Lang, Victoria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drone40 Loitering Munition

Quantifiable outcome

• Rotating Detonation Engine achieves thermally stable and continuous operation with no temperature increase after 18 seconds of operation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DSTA (Defence Science and Technology Agency) - SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2025Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency and DefendTex signed an MOU to explore collaborative opportunities in platform-launched drones, munitions safety, and novel unmanned vehicle (UxV) concept of operations for Singapore's defence needs. The partnership leverages DefendTex's expertise in rapid prototyping and development of next-generation autonomous systems and smart weapons to enhance operational capabilities for the Singapore Armed Forces.
• Marubeni AerospacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese trading firm Marubeni Aerospace handles distribution of Drone40 loitering munition to Japan. DefendTex's Drone40 was selected by Japan for procurement to support the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's short-range strike operations, with deliveries expected to be completed by late May 2027.
• Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefendTex has partnered with DSTG scientists and researchers on multiple Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P), including 3D printing of rocket boosters for space launch (fourth CRC-P). The collaboration allows for printing of rocket boosters in the field, enabling responsive capability for the Australian Defence Force.
• RMIT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRMIT University collaborated on the Rotating Detonation Engine project (CRC-P for Responsive Access to Space), developing Australia's first completely additively manufactured RDE. RMIT's Centre for Additive Manufacturing (RCAM) manufactured the engine entirely using advanced manufacturing techniques. Also partnered on 3D printed rocket booster project.
• University of SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Sydney, led by Professor Matthew Cleary, provided simulation and modelling work for the Rotating Detonation Engine project, contributing foundations for understanding thermal distribution and achieving sustained detonation in a thermally stable engine.
• Universitat der Bundeswehr (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partner in the CRC-P for Responsive Access to Space, contributing to the development of Australia's first Rotating Detonation Engine.
• University of South AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the CRC-P for Responsive Access to Space, contributing to the development of Rotating Detonation Engine and space propulsion technology.
• Rocketech Pty LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in the 3D printed rocket booster CRC-P, collaborating with DefendTex, RMIT, and DSTG to demonstrate successful 3D printing of small-scale rocket motors and scale to modular booster sizes capable of reaching space.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems: Global defence prime offering munitions, combat vehicles, naval weapons, and guided weapons across air, land, and sea domains. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same allied guided munitions and energetics programmes.
• Thales Australia: Australian arm of global defence prime Thales, supplying missiles, combat systems, and autonomous platforms to ADF and allied forces. Comparable as a sovereign Australian defence manufacturer with broader portfolio and prime-contractor scale.
• QinetiQ: UK-headquartered defence technology and security company providing advanced propulsion research, energetics, and autonomous systems to allied governments. Comparable via its propulsion energetics R&D and defence advisory services.
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Israeli defence company behind the Spike guided weapon family, Trophy APS, and various loitering/precision strike systems. Comparable through its precision guided munitions, energetics, and active armour protection systems sold worldwide.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defence electronics company producing loitering munitions (Rotem), UAVs (THOR), precision guided weapons, and body armour for global allied militaries. Comparable through its broad portfolio of loitering munitions, UAS, and protective systems.

Direct peers

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: US defence company producing unmanned aerial systems, target drones, and jet-powered UAVs as well as ballistic missile targets and propulsion technology. Comparable through its mix of low-cost expendable UAVs and propulsion expertise.
• AeroVironment: US designer and manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems and tactical missile systems (Switchblade loitering munition). Closest listed competitor to DefendTex in the grenade-launcher-compatible loitering munition category.
• Shield AI: US defence tech company developing autonomous UAVs (V-BAT) and AI pilot software for defence applications. Comparable as a software/AI-enabled autonomous defence systems company targeting allied militaries.
• EOS Defence Systems: Australian-owned defence company manufacturing remote weapon stations, anti-drone systems, and guided weapons for allied forces. Directly comparable as a fellow Australian sovereign defence manufacturer serving ADF and export markets.
• Anduril Industries: US-based defence technology company building autonomous systems, loitering munitions (Roadrunner), counter-UAS, and software-defined defence capabilities. Directly comparable as a venture-backed, tech-forward unmanned weapons systems developer serving allied militaries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DefendTex