- CEA is responsible for CEAFAR AESA radar systems used across naval, land and air domains, with over 80% Australian industry content in its supply chain
- In 2025 the Australian Government committed A$272 million to procure multi-mission phased array radars (MMPARs) from CEA for the Army, reinforcing its strategic importance
CEA Technologies PTY LTD’s growth and focus
Founded in 1983 by ex-Naval officers Ian Croser and David Gaul, CEA has grown from a niche radar designer to a full-fledged defence systems integrator. Its products are modular, scalable and built with strong Australian industry content (over 80%) to support sovereignty in critical technology.
In 2025, the Australian Government announced a A$272 million contract to procure up to 14 multi-mission phased array radars (MMPARs) from CEA for the Army, with first delivery expected from 2027. Ministers emphasised that the investment would sustain hundreds of jobs across Canberra and regional Australia, while reinforcing defence-industry capability.
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Industry context and challenges
The defence electronics and radar sector faces rapid technological evolution. CEA must deliver systems that are not just high performance, but also easily upgradable over time. The shift toward software-defined radar—where capability is added by firmware updates rather than hardware replacement—is a key innovation. Observers note the necessity of modular architectures and embedded software to sustain systems over multi-decadal lifecycles.
As governments worldwide demand indigenous capability in defence technology, CEA’s model of high Australian content, vertical integration and strong R&D investment positions it well. Its ability to balance defence obligations, commercial competitiveness and technological agility will determine whether it remains a cornerstone of Australia’s defence transformation.
