Canberra-based drone technology company Department 13 has joined the peak defence and security industry association, which it hopes will help it penetrate the government sector.

Department 13 announced on December 9 that it had joined the Australian Industry and Defence Network, an 800-member association representing defence small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

The AIDN works with state and federal agencies – including Defence and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources – and acts as a focal point for defence industry interaction with a local base of smaller defence companies.

Department 13 says its acceptance into AIDN marks a milestone after it re-launched earlier this year to service government, private and public sector enterprises.

Department 13 chief executive officer Lee Croft says membership of AIDN will help the company showcase its drone technology and operating systems.

“We are very excited to now be part of AIDN, which will give us greater access to industry specific resources and information here in Australia and overseas,” he said in a statement.

“It’s an opportunity to secure direct contact with defence and defence prime contractors and initiatives and show them just how far we have been able to push our patented drone technology.”

Department 13 is responsible for developing the Mesmer counter-drone technology system and has recently introduced a new range of products including DIAL sensors, Atlas cloud-based software and Nightingale drones.

Last month it announced it has secured a contract to has been to deliver counter-drone technology to an unnamed South-East Asian government, making it the second South-East Asian country to receive service and support.

“We are incredibly proud of the advancements and innovative solutions our team has been able to achieve for our customers over the past decade,” Mr Croft said.

Department 13, established in the US more than a decade ago, set up new headquarters and APAC operations in Canberra earlier this year and now has an Australian base of executive and management staff.

It is also a member of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).