Australian drone manufacturer, Carbonix, and Australia’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, GPC Electronics Group, have entered into a manufacturing contract.

The agreement between the two Sydney-based companies will see GPC build the company’s avionics including valuable design input and testing to guarantee Australian and international quality assurance standards

The partnership represents a significant step forward for the sovereign capability of the Australian drone industry, enabling Carbonix to scale up production while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.

Carbonix CEO Philip van der Burg said the company was delighted to be partnering with GPC Electronics, a company with a proven track record in delivering high-quality electronic assemblies.

“For us it means having a supply of high quality, consistent, tested avionics on tap and the support to react to supply chain disruptions,” he said.

“The partnership is a testament to the strength of the Australian drone industry and the value of sovereign capability. Together, we can create a vertically integrated solution that delivers world-class UAVs to customers across a range of industries.”

GPC Electronics Business Development Manager RJ Stensland said the agreement will allow the company to expand its capabilities in drone avionics manufacturing and integration and position itself as a key player in the emerging drone market.

“We are excited to work with Carbonix, a company that is pushing the boundaries of drone technology,” he said.

“Our collaboration will enable us to leverage our expertise in electronics manufacturing and integration to produce high-quality drones that meet the needs of customers in the aerospace, defence, and other industries.

We are proud to be part of an Australian industry that is at the forefront of drone innovation.”
Carbonix is an innovative drone technology company that develops high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a range of industries, including agriculture, mining, and defence.

The company’s drones are designed for high endurance, long-range, and reliable operations in challenging environments. Carbonix recently became one of just a handful of drone companies to receive Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS) approval in Greater Sydney, paving the way for it to complete BVLOS testing and missions with sophisticated payloads including surveying LiDar scanners and photogrammetry cameras.

The approval follows a strong 2022 for the company having scaled up production after inking a deal with aerospace manufacturer Quickstep as well as partnering with a range of organisations to support their aerial surveying programs including SA Power Networks, The ACT Rural Fire Service and Geo-data specialist Fugro