• The HQ Joint Task Force 636 Kabul Drive Team in Up Armoured SUV with Force Protection ECM. The HQJTF636 Drive Team provides tactical protected mobility and security around Kabul using Up-Armoured SUVs that allow for greater manoeuvrability through the urban environment. The team are part of the 400 ADF personnel deployed across Afghanistan in a variety of roles as part of Operation Highroad, supporting the NATO-led Resolute Support mission Credit: 1JPAU/EPE
    The HQ Joint Task Force 636 Kabul Drive Team in Up Armoured SUV with Force Protection ECM. The HQJTF636 Drive Team provides tactical protected mobility and security around Kabul using Up-Armoured SUVs that allow for greater manoeuvrability through the urban environment. The team are part of the 400 ADF personnel deployed across Afghanistan in a variety of roles as part of Operation Highroad, supporting the NATO-led Resolute Support mission Credit: 1JPAU/EPE
  • (L-R) Mike Kavanagh, GHD; Simon Best, STI; Mike Dithurbide, AV; Warwick Penrose, EPE; Keith Mollison, EPE; Chris Otley-Doe, Rubikon at Land Forces 2016. Credit: EPE
    (L-R) Mike Kavanagh, GHD; Simon Best, STI; Mike Dithurbide, AV; Warwick Penrose, EPE; Keith Mollison, EPE; Chris Otley-Doe, Rubikon at Land Forces 2016. Credit: EPE
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EPE to establish FPECM repair facility

7 October 2016
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EPE has announced it is in the final stages of negotiation for the establishment of a full manufacturing, upgrade, and repair
capability for Force Protection Electronic Countermeasures (FPECM) equipment at its Brisbane facility. 

The agreement with Canadian firm Allen Vanguard (AV), the manufacturer of market-leading FPECM systems, and the UK's Surface Technologies International (STI), a leading contract manufacturer of advanced electronic systems, will provide a full repair and overhaul facility as well as future engineering support to the Commonwealth.

AV has fielded over 16,000 FPECM systems worldwide and currently provides FPECM capability both to the Australian and NZ Defence Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies. STI operates as the international manufacturing partner to AV and has manufactured over 6,500 FPECM systems on their behalf at their NADCAP-accredited facility in Hook, UK.

According to EPE, the new agreement will support the business to deliver an indigenous capability for depot level repairs and spiral upgrades to AV’s existing FPECM Fleet in use by Commonwealth and State Agencies from EPE’s Brisbane-based maintenance facility.

"This support package will reduce the cost, time and logistics burdens for these activities whilst securing high-tech defence jobs in the Greater Brisbane area," EPE managing director Warwick Penrose said.

STI will conduct a technology transfer and will invest in training new recruits by providing highly trained personnel to augment EPE’s core of deployable Field Service Representatives (FSRs) while also providing quality assurance support.

(L-R) Mike Kavanagh, GHD; Simon Best, STI; Mike Dithurbide, AV; Warwick Penrose, EPE; Keith Mollison, EPE; Chris Otley-Doe, Rubikon at Land Forces 2016. Credit: EPE(L-R) Mike Kavanagh, GHD; Simon Best, STI; Mike Dithurbide, AV; Warwick Penrose, EPE; Keith Mollison, EPE; Chris Otley-Doe, Rubikon at Land Forces 2016. Credit: EPE

EPE and STI will further leverage this capability to assist with the development and commercialisation of other emerging technologies that can be utilised to defeat the threat of terrorist or criminal use of explosives and CBRN materials.

"This agreement will provide the foundation with which Australian industry can build a long term platform to ensure a fully sovereign FPECM capability for the Australian and NZ governments," Penrose said.

"With the ability to conduct depot level repairs and to provide spiral upgrades into existing FPECM fleets we can ensure that our clients can keep up with the rapidly evolving and expanding use of radio controlled IEDs as terrorist weapons." 

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