In the dynamic and high stakes realm of defence, synergy between a defence prime and its supply chain can be a decisive factor in achieving project success.
If calmness was a company KPI, EPE Trusted to Protect (EPE) would be exceeding expectations.
Over the past 15 years, the Brisbane-based company, which specialises in force protection and counter threat solutions for defence and law enforcement, has become the employer of choice for former bomb technicians and elite military operatives as they’ve transitioned to civilian life.
This inimitable stable of servicemen and women – who’ve spent much of their careers deactivating improvised explosive devices (IED) in conflict zones – have brought with them a highly specialised skill set, forged under the weight of a 40kg bomb suit and its intense mental load.
“There is a composure about them,” Babcock Australasia Project Manager Damian Huxtable says when asked to describe the EPE team, which form part of Babcock’s closeknit Counter Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (C-CBRNE) supply chain.
“Their unique life experience means they don’t sweat the small stuff. They are focused and adaptable, which translates to a highly productive working relationship.”
Joining forces
Babcock’s first dealings with EPE came in 2019, when it began managing the Commonwealth’s C-CBRNE assets, including the CA26 fleet serviced by EPE.
Now the pair collaborate on the delivery of a number of key assets for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Suits and Communications Systems under Land 3025 Phase 2, Device Manipulation Render Safe equipment, and Squad Packable Utility Robots (SPUR), which were recently delivered as part of the Land 154-4 Program.
EPE’s insight and 230 years of collective experience in EOD and Counter CBRN not only informs product development but also reinforces the need for quality solutions.
“What sets EPE apart is its specialist domain experience,” Damian explains. “They have a deep understanding of mission requirements and excel at identifying and aligning the right capabilities. This allows us to execute seamlessly from start to finish, ensuring precision in capability matching, inspection, and acceptance testing.”
This expertise is further reinforced by a strong veteran presence within both companies, enhancing responsiveness to customer needs. “As former frontline users and maintainers of these products, our teams bring firsthand knowledge of real-world challenges and a unique perspective for the functionality and reliability required in the field,” Damian continues.
EPE’s Head of Capability Chris Panteli agrees it’s a powerful synergy.
“It’s worked well from the get-go. Babcock’s cutting-edge asset management systems optimise the sustainment and acquisition of C-CBRNE capabilities, while EPE brings unparalleled expertise in the specialist CBRNE defence domain,” he says.
This desire to get and keep capability into the hands of end users so they can protect and sustain life has brought continuous improvement to processes. Operational readiness has benefited, for example, from the introduction of in-country repair and maintenance capabilities.
“In the past, bomb suits, robots, and countermeasures had to be sent overseas, a process that could take up to six months, requiring export and import permits,” Chris says. “Now, thanks to local support, turnaround times have been reduced to about a week, significantly cutting costs and downtime for the Australian Defence Force.”
Setting the tone
This deep-rooted commitment to excellence began with EPE Group CEO Warwick Penrose, a decorated Australian Army veteran who commanded and helped develop Australia’s first CBRNE Counter Terrorism Disposal Capability, which was instrumental in the securing the Sydney Olympics.
After retiring from the Australian Defence Force in 2010, Warwick purchased the Australian distribution rights for Med-Eng EOD suits, the leading bomb suit worn by 85 per cent of bomb technicians globally. Since then he has grown the company from two employees to 57, incorporating uncrewed systems, countermeasures, deployable infrastructure and counter threat capabilities with systems integration and engineering to deliver complete capability solutions that protect Australians and its allies.
Warwick’s contributions in this space earned him recognition as a finalist for Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022. EPE was also named a finalist for Employer of the Year in the 2020 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards. The awards recognise the achievements of organisations which support and employ veterans, as well as veterans who make a significant contribution to their workplace.
Diversification
EPE’s performance within Babcock’s supply chain and strong credibility in the defence sector is also attracting broader attention, unlocking exciting opportunities for expansion and diversification. In 2024, the company was selected by the Australian Space Agency to lead a consortium tasked to design, build and remotely operate Australia’s first lunar rover on the moon. Leveraging extensive expertise in land robotics, EPE is boldly applying its knowledge and innovations to the challenging, high-risk realm of lunar exploration. Creating 25 new jobs at EPE, and 50 across the consortium, the project is bringing together Australia’s best systems, software and mechatronics engineers.
Still, EPE remains steadfast in its core mission: the protection of Australian soldiers.
From its first major contract with the ADF in 2011 – an urgent EOD remediation training project to increase the number of qualified bomb technicians in Afghanistan – to its current delivery of specialist IED disposal training through its Device Manipulation Render Safe services, EPE consistently prioritises the well-being of servicemen and women.
“It’s not just about equipment,” Chris explains. “One of our core specialties is delivering EOD and counter-IED training. We don’t engage in offensive operations or weapons. Our focus is entirely on protecting our soldiers.”
This, according to Damian, makes EPE the complete package: “EPE is a gold standard of supply chain vendors for acquisition, sustainment and training. They share our purpose to create a safe and secure world, together.”