What CEA Technologies does

CEA Technologies is an Australian defense technology company founded in 1983 by two former Royal Australian Navy officers, Ian Croser AM and David Gaul, that designs, develops, manufactures, and sustains advanced active digital phased array radar systems. Its core product family is CEAFAR (CEA Phased Array Radar), positioned by the company as the world's first fourth-generation Active Phased Array Radar System, with Australian-owned and controlled intellectual property and greater than 80% Australian Industry Content in delivered solutions. Product variants include the CEAFAR HPAR-64SG (delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force under AIR6500 Phase 1 Tranche 1 for the Joint Air Battle Management System), the Multi-Mission Phased Array Radar (MMPAR) supplied to the Australian Army under LAND 8113 Phase 2, CEAFAR AESA land-based systems, Advanced Air Search Radars fielded on ANZAC class frigates and forthcoming Hunter class frigates, and AIR5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler electronic warfare systems.

The business model centers on enterprise/government sales through competitive Commonwealth of Australia defense procurement contracts. Two named recent contract wins are the A$272 million LAND 8113 Phase 2 agreement for 14 MMPAR systems (signed February 2025) and the A$277 million AIR5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler contract, supplemented by active programs including AIR6500 Phase 1, LAND 19 Phase 7B, AIR3024 Woomera and Hunter class frigate integration. A separate through-life support (TLS) revenue line covering scheduled maintenance, monitoring, repairs, and warranties produces recurring service income alongside project-based hardware sales. Pricing is quote-based under government tenders and not publicly disclosed; the go-to-market is direct engagement with the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force, augmented by a wholly-owned US subsidiary (CEA Technologies Inc., CEATI) in Maryland supporting North American sales.

In July 2023 the Commonwealth acquired an initial ownership stake, and in January 2025 it took majority ownership and converted CEA into a Government Business Enterprise; long-standing minority shareholder Northrop Grumman (since 2006) and co-founder David Gaul departed as part of the restructuring. The company operates design and manufacturing facilities in Canberra (Fyshwick headquarters), Adelaide and Melbourne, with support sites in Perth, Newcastle and Brisbane, plus CEATI in Maryland. Headcount is reported at approximately 600 staff. The board and executive team has been substantially refreshed between 2024 and 2026, with Alan Clements AM CSC appointed Chief Executive Officer effective 1 June 2026, Joycelyn Morton as first female Chair from 28 January 2025, and Air Marshal Geoff Brown AO (Retd) joining as Non-Executive Director on 1 May 2026. Certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018.

Name

CEA Technologies

Legal name

CEA Technologies Pty. Limited

Website

https://cea.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CEA Technologies designs, develops, and manufactures active phased array radar systems for the Australian Defence Force across naval, land, and air domains, operating as a Commonwealth of Australia Government Business Enterprise with roughly 600 staff across Australia and a US subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Radar Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH)

Keywords

• Phased array radar systems
• Defense radar technology
• Active electronically scanned array
• Military communications systems
• Naval radar solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Fyshwick

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Defense Procurement Contracts: Revenue from major defense contracts with Commonwealth of Australia including LAND 8113 Phase 2 ($272M for 14 MMPAR systems), AIR6500 Phase 1 Tranche 1, and AIR5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler ($277M)
2. Sovereign Defense Capability Delivery: Design, development, manufacturing and sustainment of advanced active phased array radar systems for Australian Defence Force and allies
3. Through Life Support (TLS): Through life support services for products after in-service delivery, including scheduled maintenance, monitoring, repairs, and warranty programs

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CEA Technologies designs, develops, manufactures and sustains active phased array radar and communications solutions for sea, land and air defence domains. Its CEAFAR product family includes MMPAR for army air defence, HPAR for air battle management, AESA for naval and vehicle platforms, and dedicated electronic warfare and range radar systems, supported by through-life support services. The company is majority-owned by the Commonwealth of Australia and delivers sovereign defence capability with over 80% Australian Industry Content.

Product overview

CEA Technologies is an Australian defence technology company that designs, develops, manufactures, and sustains advanced active phased array radar systems. The company's core product is the CEAFAR (CEA Phased Array Radar) family, which includes multiple variants such as the HPAR-64SG for air battle management, the Multi-Mission Phased Array Radar (MMPAR) for land-based applications, and AESA systems for naval platforms. These modular, scalable systems are deployed across sea, land, and air domains supporting the Australian Defence Force and allies, with over 80% Australian Industry Content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CEAFAR (CEA Phased Array Radar) family Active digital phased array radar systems designed, developed and manufactured by CEA. The CEAFAR family spans sea, land and air domains and is configurable to a variety of complex specifications, with affordability, lightweight design, scalability and modularity as defining features. Sold to the Australian Defence Force and allied navies under multi-year defense procurement contracts.
• Multi-Mission Phased Array Radar (MMPAR) Advanced land-based multi-mission phased array radar system for the Australian Army, supporting Joint Fires projects including Long-Range Fires and Protected Mobile Fires. 14 systems ordered under the $272 million LAND 8113 Phase 2 contract.
• CEAFAR HPAR-64SG (High Performance Phased Array Radar) High Performance Phased Array Radar configuration providing long-range radar and IFF surveillance and tracking, with simultaneous adaptation to changing electromagnetic and clutter environments. Delivered as part of the Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) under AIR6500 Phase 1 Tranche 1.
• CEAFAR Active Scanning Electronic Array (AESA) Flexible and modular Active Electronic Scanning Array adaptable to a range of vehicle types and sizes using standard ISO fixtures; also provided on trailers with their own power generation and thermal management systems. Provides surveillance, IFF and weapon control capability.
• AIR5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler Electronic Warfare Systems Electronic warfare testing and training systems delivered by CEA as part of the $277 million AIR 5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler program for the RAAF F-18 Growler fleet, providing flexible and dynamic EW range capabilities.
• LAND 19 Phase 7B Phased Array Radar Sensors Phased array radar sensors for the Army-operated component of the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defence (JIAMD) capability under LAND 19 Phase 7B.
• AIR3024 Phase 1 Woomera Range Remediation Radar Range radar systems delivered by CEA as part of the Woomera Range Remediation Project for ADF training and testing capabilities.
• CEAFAR Systems for ANZAC and Hunter Class Frigates CEAFAR phased array systems delivered to the Royal Australian Navy for the ANZAC Class Frigates (under the Anti-Ship Missile Defence Upgrade and Advanced Air Search Radar programs) and to be supplied for the new Hunter Class Future Frigates.
• Through-Life Support (TLS) Services Whole-of-life support services for delivered CEA products, including scheduled maintenance, monitoring, repairs, warranty programs, antenna test facilities, calibration and factory acceptance testing. Sold to defense customers as a recurring service on top of hardware supply.

Quantifiable outcome

• Greater than 80% Australian Industry Content
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• MEGTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEGT (Service Provider) partners with CEA for apprenticeship delivery. CEA offers Apprenticeships (Cert III Electronics and Communications) with MEGT supporting program delivery for January 2026 intake.
• CIT (Canberra Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIT (Registered Training Organisation) partners with CEA for apprenticeship delivery, providing nationally recognised qualification in Certificate III in Electronics and Communications.
• Engineers AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEA Technologies and Engineers Australia co-hosted International Women in Engineering Day 2026 Canberra breakfast event. Partnership to promote women in engineering careers.
• University of NewcastleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEA Technologies invests in next generation of Australian engineers through support of University of Newcastle's National Science and Engineering Challenge and regional events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: US defense prime with significant AESA radar, EW and surveillance portfolios, including through-life support. Closely comparable to CEA in capability and recently linked through CEA's incoming CEO Alan Clements, previously L3Harris VP Australia/NZ.
• Northrop Grumman: US defense prime with AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, AMDR and electronic warfare portfolios; was a longstanding CEA shareholder until 2025. Directly comparable as a phased-array radar and EW systems integrator with overlapping defence customer base.
• Thales: European defense prime with SMART-L, Ground Master, Sea Fire and MASTER series AESA radars across sea/land/air domains. Comparable as a multi-domain radar systems provider serving NATO and allied forces including Australia.
• Lockheed Martin: Producer of SPY-1, SPY-7 and Aegis combat-system radars and a key Hunter-class frigate combat system partner in Australia. Comparable as a naval/air radar prime competing for adjacent ADF programs.
• BAE Systems Australia: Local Australian prime integrating systems for the Hunter-class frigates and broader ADF programs. Comparable to CEA as both an Australian-headquartered defence prime competing for adjacent scopes on the same major programs.
• Raytheon (RTX): US defense prime with extensive naval, land and air radar portfolios (AN/TPY-2, SPY-6 AMDR, family of GaN/GaAs AESA systems). Directly comparable to CEA as a radar systems prime serving Australia and allied militaries, and competes head-to-head in major ADF competitions.

Direct peers

• Saab: Swedish defense group with Giraffe 4D/8 AESA radars, Sea Giraffe naval radars and CEROS fire-control radars. Closely comparable to CEA as a medium-sized specialist in active phased-array sensors for naval, land and air defence markets.
• HENSOLDT: German sensor specialist (TRML-4D, TRS-4D, Spexer 2000, passive radar). Comparable to CEA as a focused AESA radar and sensor house serving European and allied navies and armies.
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI/ELTA): IAI/ELTA family of EL/M-2080, EL/M-2090 and EL/M-2258 AESA radars for air defence, missile warning and naval fire control. Comparable to CEA as a state-affiliated or specialty radar house competing in the same domain categories.
• Leonardo: Italian defense group with Kronos, MFRA and EMPAR radar families for naval and ground applications. Comparable as a European AESA radar prime with adjacent sovereign capability offerings to CEA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cea-technologies-pty-limited

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 CEA Technologies