Capabilities
Our Defence Electronics Capabilities
Build-to-print manufacturing
Defence PCB assembly
Box build and sub-assembly
Ruggedised hardware integration
Cable and wire harness assembly
Prototype and production builds
Electronics redesign
Obsolescence management
Functional and environmental testing
Defence product sustainment
DEFENCE MANUFACTURING
Built Around the Requirements of Defence Programs
Defence manufacturing rarely ends with a populated PCB. A program may require approved components, controlled assembly, mechanical integration, cabling, testing and repeat production, all while working to the technical requirements supplied by the customer.
Hetech can take responsibility for individual manufacturing stages or a broader electronics build. This gives primes and OEMs one sovereign manufacturing partner for PCB assembly, sub-assemblies, complete box builds and ongoing production support. Hetech currently identifies build-to-print, box build, PCB assembly and obsolescence management as core defence services.
Build-to-Print
Manufacture established electronic products locally from customer-controlled drawings, specifications and build requirements.
Box Build
Integrate PCBs, wiring, harnesses, mechanical hardware and enclosures into complete electronic assemblies.
Production Support
Move from prototype units into repeat production while maintaining a consistent manufacturing approach.
Obsolescence Management
Keep established defence products supportable when components or existing electronic designs reach end of life.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
Engineering Support for New and Existing Defence Electronics
Not every defence project begins with a production-ready design. Some require a new PCB or electronic product to be developed. Others already have proven hardware but need design changes before another manufacturing run can proceed.
Hetech’s engineering capability can be used alongside manufacturing to resolve these requirements before production. This is particularly valuable where the final design needs to account for component availability, assembly methods, testing or integration with an existing product.
For established systems, engineering support can also be used to replace obsolete circuitry while retaining the required functionality of the wider equipment, an approach Hetech has already applied to Collins Class submarine sustainment work.
Electronics Design
Develop or refine electronic hardware around the functional, manufacturing and integration requirements of the defence product.
PCB Design & Layout
Create or update circuit-board designs ready for prototype manufacture, assembly and production.
Embedded Systems Development
Develop embedded electronics for dedicated control, communications, monitoring and other product functions.
Firmware Development
Develop and update embedded software required to operate or interface with the electronic hardware.
Design for Manufacture
Review the design from a production perspective before committing to repeat builds.
Legacy Electronics Redesign
Re-engineer electronic assemblies where discontinued components or ageing technology prevent continued manufacture.
HIGH-RELIABILITY PRODUCTION
Manufacturing Controls for Critical Defence Electronics
Defence electronics can remain in service for years and may be installed inside systems where an electronic fault has consequences far beyond the circuit board itself. The production process therefore needs to focus on repeatable workmanship, inspection and verification rather than assembly speed alone.
Hetech manufactures to J-STD-001/IPC-A-610 Class 3 requirements and operates AS9100 and ISO 9001:2015 quality systems. Its defence manufacturing capability also includes SMT production, Automated Optical Inspection, conformal coating, encapsulation, functional testing and an environmental test chamber.
Controlled PCB Assembly
Automated SMT and through-hole processes provide a consistent manufacturing foundation for high-reliability electronic assemblies.
Inspection Throughout Production
AOI and manual verification provide opportunities to identify assembly issues before the product progresses to final integration.
Product-Level Verification
Functional and environmental testing can be incorporated where required by the product and agreed manufacturing scope.
Manufacturing Capabilities
- SMT Assembly
- Through-Hole Assembly
- IPC Class 3 Manufacturing
- Automated Optical Inspection
- Conformal Coating
- Encapsulation
- Functional Testing
- Environmental Testing
- Communications hardware
- Maritime electronics
- Vehicle systems
- Tactical equipment
SOVEREIGN DEFENCE CAPABILITY
Strengthening the Australian Defence Electronics Supply Chain
The value of Australian defence manufacturing extends beyond where a product is assembled. Local capability also creates a pathway for technology transfer, repeat production, engineering changes and sustainment to remain accessible within Australia.
That direction is increasingly important across Australian defence policy. The 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy places greater emphasis on sovereign industrial capability, self-reliance and Australia's capacity to manufacture, sustain and scale defence capability when required.
Australian Industry Capability
Local electronics production can contribute to Australian industry participation within prime and OEM supply chains.
Technology Transfer
Existing products can be transitioned into Australian manufacture where the required technical information and production arrangements are available.
Local Sustainment
Engineering and manufacturing remain accessible when hardware needs repair, redesign, replacement or another production run.
Supply Chain Resilience
Australian production provides another option for programs seeking to reduce dependence on a single overseas manufacturing pathway.
Supporting Defence Programs in Australia
Hetech identifies AIC management and implementation, technology and IP transfer, and collaboration with primes and OEMs among its existing defence capabilities.
This aligns well with the Australian Industry Capability Program, which seeks to increase opportunities for Australian companies, support technology transfer and appropriate IP access, and encourage investment in Australian industry.
Process Flow
How a Defence Electronics Project Moves Into Production
Technical Review
Start with the available drawings, specifications, BOM, existing hardware, expected quantities and acceptance requirements to define the manufacturing scope.
Production Preparation
Resolve design, sourcing, assembly or obsolescence issues that could prevent the product from being manufactured reliably.
Prototype or Initial Build
Manufacture initial units where required to confirm the production approach before progressing into larger quantities.
Assembly, Integration & Test
Complete PCB assembly, wiring, mechanical integration and agreed testing using the approved production requirements.
Repeat Production & Sustainment
Continue manufacturing the product while supporting component changes, future builds and engineering updates over its lifecycle.
FULL CAPABILITY SUITE
Defence Electronics Manufacturing Capabilities
Manufacturing & Integration
- PCB Assembly
- SMT Assembly
- Through-Hole Assembly
- Class 1, 2 & 3 Manufacturing
- Build-to-Print Manufacturing
- Prototype PCB Assembly
- Box Build Assembly
- Electronic Sub-Assemblies
- Cable & Harness Assembly
- Mechanical Integration
- Conformal Coating
- Encapsulation
- Automated Optical Inspection
- Functional Testing
- Environmental Testing
Engineering & Lifecycle Support
- Electronics Design & Engineering
- PCB Design & Layout
- Embedded Systems Development
- Firmware Development
- Industrial Design
- Rapid Prototyping
- Test Jig Design
- Obsolescence Management
- Electronic Redesign
- Compliance Testing Support
- Technology Transfer
- Project Management
- Turnkey Product Development
DEFENCE PROJECTS
Defence Electronics Proven in Real Programs
Hetech's defence capability is demonstrated through products already manufactured for Australian defence organisations and prime contractors, from rugged communications equipment to submarine sustainment and high-volume PCB production.
Boeing Defence Australia | Project Currawong
Boeing Defence Australia required prototype and production hardware for the Network Access Module within Project Currawong, part of the Australian Army’s battlespace communications system.
Hetech manufactured two subsystems as turnkey box builds, producing complex ruggedised hardware rather than supplying the PCBs alone.
Approximately 350 systems have been delivered, demonstrating repeat manufacturing capability for a complex defence communications program.
Saab Technologies Australia | Collins Class Submarine
Circuit boards used within the Integrated Ships Control Management Monitoring System could no longer be manufactured in their original form because the electronics had become obsolete.
Hetech supported the replacement of the obsolete electronics with newly designed and manufactured PCB assemblies and continues to manufacture PCBA hardware for Collins Class submarine sustainment.
The work provides Saab with a local pathway for maintaining electronic hardware within an established maritime platform rather than allowing component obsolescence to end support for the assemblies.
EOS Defence Systems | Remote Weapon System
EOS required production quantities of PCB assemblies used within its Remote Weapon System for integration into vehicle platforms.
Hetech established repeat manufacture of the required electronic assemblies to Class 3 workmanship requirements.
Approximately 7,000 PCBs have been manufactured for EOS, demonstrating Hetech’s ability to support sustained defence electronics production at significant volume.
Why Hetech
Experience Across the Defence Electronics Lifecycle
A defence manufacturing relationship can continue long after the first production order. Hardware may need to move from prototype to volume, be produced again years later or be redesigned when an original component disappears from the market.
Hetech brings manufacturing and engineering together so customers can access the capabilities required at different points in that lifecycle without treating each stage as an unrelated project.
- Australian-owned electronics manufacturer
- Queensland manufacturing capability
- More than 30 years of electronics experience
- Established defence prime and OEM relationships
- Build-to-print manufacturing
- Class 3 PCB assembly capability
- Complete box build and subsystem integration
- Prototype and repeat production
- Electronics redesign capability
- Obsolescence and sustainment support
Quality Assurance & Compliance
AS9100
Quality management certification relevant to aerospace and defence supply-chain requirements.
J-STD-001 / IPC-A-610 Class 3
High-reliability workmanship requirements used for demanding electronic assemblies.
Automated Optical Inspection
Automated inspection provides an additional control point during PCB manufacturing.
Functional Testing
Completed assemblies can be tested against the functional requirements established for the product.
Defence Industry Security Program (DISP)
Australian Government security accreditation supporting the protection of Defence information, assets and projects.
LOCAL ADVANTAGE
Keep Critical Electronics Capability Closer to the Program
For defence products with long operational lives, manufacturing location affects more than freight. It can also determine how easily program teams can respond when a component changes, a replacement build is required or the product needs engineering attention years after its original release.
Direct Manufacturing Access
Work with the Australian team responsible for manufacturing and integrating the electronic hardware.
Easier Engineering Changes
Bring design and production teams together when a component, PCB or subsystem requires modification.
Repeat Build Capability
Maintain an Australian production path for future quantities rather than treating the original production run as the end of the relationship.
Lifecycle Continuity
Use the same broader capability for redesign, obsolescence management and manufacturing as the product progresses through its service life.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What defence electronics manufacturing services does Hetech provide?
Hetech provides PCB assembly, build-to-print manufacturing, box builds, cable and harness integration, electronics engineering, testing and obsolescence management for defence electronic products and subsystems.
Can Hetech manufacture from an existing defence design?
Yes. Build-to-print is one of Hetech’s core defence capabilities. Existing products can be manufactured locally from the supplied specifications and production documentation.
Does Hetech provide defence PCB assembly in Australia?
Yes. PCB assembly is completed through Hetech’s Australian manufacturing capability in Queensland using SMT, through-hole and inspection processes appropriate to the build.
Can Hetech build more than the PCB?
Yes. Hetech can integrate PCB assemblies with cables, wire harnesses, mechanical parts and enclosures and perform mechanical and functional testing as part of a box-build or sub-assembly requirement.
How can Hetech help when defence electronics become obsolete?
Hetech can review and redesign electronic hardware when obsolete components prevent continued manufacture. Its Collins Class submarine work for Saab is an existing example of replacing obsolete circuit boards with newly designed and manufactured PCB assemblies.
What quality standards does Hetech use for defence electronics?
Hetech states that it is AS9100 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited and manufactures to J-STD-001/IPC-A-610 Class 3 requirements for applicable high-reliability electronic assemblies.
Need an Australian Manufacturing Partner for Your Defence Electronics?
Whether the requirement is a new production build, an established build-to-print product, a complete electronic subsystem or ageing hardware that needs redesign, Hetech can review the technical scope and determine the most suitable manufacturing approach.
Bring your drawings, product requirements, expected quantities and current project stage to our team to start the discussion.