Multi-million dollar tech hub for military drones to be built Australia

SYDNEY, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Federal Government of Australia has confirmed on Monday it will back a bid from Queensland State to develop a 38.30 million U.S. dollar facility that will supply the country's defence force with drones and robotics.

Queensland Innovation Minister Kate Jones said the Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) was a vote of confidence in the state's world leading innovation and technology capability.

"This centre will draw together industry, researchers and local businesses to work with Defence to develop new technologies for drones and other unmanned vehicles," Jones said.

"This will develop critical mass in key technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous vehicles and will position Queensland as a global leader in these areas."

To be built in a remote section of Central Queensland, an important feature of the proposal was the state's ability to develop sites for testing and trials.

"We will invest in test facilities," Queensland Development Minister Cameron Dick said.

"Including large drone zones in regional Queensland, both aerial and marine, as part of the CRC."

It's also believed the new facility will expand further to not only supply, army, airforce and navy demand but also support research and technology projects in areas such as agriculture and environment research. Enditem