Counter-Explosive Robots Delivered to Australian Defence Force

Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has delivered a fleet of its Squad Packable Utility Robots (SPUR), providing a critical expansion to the counter-explosive capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The SPUR Remote Positioning Vehicles – Light (RPV-L) will be utilized across tri-service applications for search, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities to mitigate and deny the use of Improvised Explosive Devices and protect Australian soldiers in combat.

At 13kg, the compact and highly mobile SPUR can be rapidly deployed from a backpack. Its high-performance manipulator arm, advanced imagery and maneuverability in difficult terrain makes it particularly effective in diverse environments.

Babcock led the procurement and customization of the robots, collaborating with Australian, veteran-owned EPE Trusted to Protect to meet ADF specifications. EPE provides specialized force protection and counter-threat solutions, and has a long-term partnership with QinetiQ, the manufacturer of the SPUR.

The procurement has been delivered to schedule following thorough inspection and acceptance testing. The SPUR was first introduced into Australian service back in 2022 to assist the Australian Army response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents.

Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland, commented, “These robots significantly enhance situational awareness, acting as a critical line of defense for Australian soldiers in high-threat environments. The successful acquisition and delivery of the SPUR forms part of Babcock’s comprehensive C-CBRNE asset management services under its Prime Vendor Agreement with the ADF.

“Since securing the contract in 2019, Babcock has grown the remit and output of the program by more than 400 per cent, working closely with Defense and industry to identify capability gaps caused by technology obsolescence, as well as sourcing and acquiring new C-CBRNE tools to sharpen Defense’s counter response to existing and emerging threats.

“Much of Babcock’s success is driven by the strength of our supply chain partnerships. Nationwide, we engage some 2,000 domestic suppliers to provide goods and services across our defense and aviation contracts, creating a resilient industry base that is building sovereign capability each and every day. EPE is the gold standard of supply chain vendors, which has allowed us to source and deliver a bespoke solution in a timeframe that meets the operational needs of our servicemen and women.”

EPE Group CEO Warwick Penrose, also stated, “The partnership between EPE and Babcock creates a powerful synergy. Babcock’s leading asset management systems optimize the processes for acquisition and sustainment, while EPE brings expertise in the specialist Counter-CBRNE domain.

“The partnership has built sustainable sovereign capability here in Australia to test, acquire, train, maintain and sustain these important capabilities that protect our Defense personnel. The outcome of this collaboration is reduced risk to the Commonwealth.”