Veteran-founded, specialist, and tactical watercraft manufacturer The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG) won the coveted Emerging Exporter Award at the 62nd Australian Export Awards last night.

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In taking the win, TWPG has not only unlocked the export potential for innovative defence industry companies in New South Wales but also heralded a new era of critical end-to-end sovereign capability for new-technology watercraft through its manufacturing facilities along the State’s coastline, including in Belrose, Gosford, Morisset, Yamba and Newcastle.

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​Darren Schuback, CEO of TWPG, said, “TWPG is thrilled to take out this prestigious national award, and are grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to us through the dedicated team of Austrade professionals around the globe, both in the USA, South America, the UK and Europe.  This award means a great deal to our entire Whiskey team, and it highlights the success we have collectively achieved through five years of sheer grit, determination, and world-leading innovation.”

The Australian veteran-founded company is expanding its manufacturing capabilities with a state of-the-art 50-acre facility that integrates shipbuilding and warehousing strategically located along
the Chowan River.

The expansion will create over 50 jobs within 100,000 square feet of fabrication and industrial manufacturing space, bolstering TWPG’s capacity to design and maintain lightweight aluminium and composite vessels that meet the highest military and commercial maritime standards.​

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Darren Schuback, Chief Executive Officer of TWPG, stated, “We are truly delighted to open our first advanced manufacturing facility in the United States."

TWPG has a acquired New Zealand based KJL Sails to expand the company’s presence in the Pacific and strengthen its supply chain of highly specialised maritime technology manufacturing.

KJL is renowned for its production of sails and foam collars, with Naiad being one of their key customers over the years to support the delivery of world class patrol, commercial and recreational vessels.

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Darren Schuback, Chief Executive Officer of TWPG said: “The investment in KJL Sails is another example of TWPG securing its supply chain in the Australasian region and is testament to TWPG’s commitment to innovation, manufacturing and most importantly, our customer base.”​

Mr Ryan Carmichael today informed the Board of Australian specialist and tactical watercraft manufacturer The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG) he has departed as Managing Director – Business Development & Strategic Growth. He will continue to support the business as a Non-Executive Director on the TWPG Board.

TWPG Co-Founder and CEO Darren Schuback said, “It is with great sadness and gratitude that we farewell Ryan from TWPG.  Ryan’s hard work and dedication has seen TWPG thrive and grow.”

“We sincerely thank Ryan for being an integral part of the TWPG journey, wish him the absolute best in his future plans and endeavours, and look forward to his continued support as a Non-Executive Director of TWPG’s Board,” Mr Schuback said.

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This week, The Whiskey Project Group has been excited to announce the appointment of Colonel John Lowry III (retired) to the TWPG Australian Board and Major General Paul Kennedy (retired) to the Board of TWPG's United States operation.

At this critical time of growth, both John and Paul will deepen TWPG's understanding of the strategic environment and prove invaluable as TWPG expands into the US.

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Every single day, TWPG remains dedicated to enhancing our ability to deliver next generation tactical watercraft for Australia, the United States, and our global allies.

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Australian specialist and tactical watercraft manufacturer, The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG), announced that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has selected a new Landing Craft Light (LCL) providing a faster and more capable craft for the Pacific Support Vessel ADV Reliant.

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TWPG Founder and Managing Director Darren Schuback said: “we’re excited to be building a faster and more capable landing craft for Navy supporting a local on-site workforce and supply chain.”

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Construction of the first LCL is scheduled to commence in August 2024 with the Royal Australian Navy receiving two all-aluminium LCL, with delivery planned for the first half of 2025.

Australian specialist and tactical watercraft manufacturer, The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG), has successfully delivered the first two (2) 11-metre Whiskey Bravo – Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft (MMRC), to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) at the Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, in Southern California. 

The vessels have been accepted by the Marine Corps War Fighting Lab (MCWL) and are being used extensively by the reconnaissance Marines to host and trial a number of different mission payloads. 

Reflecting on a momentous year, The Whiskey Project Group extends a huge thank you to our suppliers, customers, and supporters for sharing our vision and contributing to our success. 

From Indonesian President Joko Widodo taking a ride on the AFP10, to unveiling the Whiskey Bravo Strike, and a contract with the United States Defense Innovation Unit - make sure to watch our video of the highlights from the year.

The Whiskey Project Group’s CEO, Darren Schuback, was delighted to join the Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC, Australia's Ambassador to the United States of America at Blair House today, to celebrate the strength of innovation and collaboration between the United States and Australia.

Darren was delighted to discuss TWPG’s recent contract announcement with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), to provide WHISKEY ALPHA and WHISKEY BRAVO to the United States Marine Corps, with the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia.

The Whiskey Project Group has returned to Europe as part of Team Defence Australia’s delegation at MSPO 2023 – a major international defence expo held annually in Kielce, Poland. Representing TWPG, Ryan Carmichael & Chay White have met with military representatives from throughout the EU while showcasing the Whiskey MMRC demonstrator craft. The Polish Ministry of National Defense has announced a record number of contracts to be signed at MSPO.

The Whiskey Project Group Chief Executive Darren Schuback spoke to the Australian Financial Review US Correspondent, Matthew Cranston last week following his recent visit the US for talks with Pentagon and congressional officials. The Whiskey Project Group has been meeting with investors ahead of TWPG’s planned expansion into the US where the Whiskey family of next-generation tactical watercraft have been garnering attention.

“The use of funds is focused around further expanding the company into US and European markets,” Mr Schuback said. “We are specifically looking at supporting our US supply chains focused around Mississippi, Virginia and North Carolina, which are all major shipbuilding states.”

“We’ve noticed over the past few years, there’s been a significant transition in focus from fighting wars in the desert and mountains of the Middle East back into the maritime domain preparing our security in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Schuback said. This is presenting significant opportunity for TWPG as an innovative maritime technology company specialising in operationally focused tactical watercraft.”

This week the Premier of NSW, the Hon Chris Minns MP made a visit to the NSW South Coast to inspect the latest pair of Naiad vessels delivered to Marine Rescue NSW at Merimbula. Both vessels were recently completed by our manufacturing team at Yamba and are part of a larger fleet upgrade TWPG is delivering for Marine Rescue NSW.

The Danish Ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) Industry Days is the largest exhibition in Denmark of equipment primarily from the defence industry, with international participation from strategic partners in Europe and overseas.

TWPG’s multi-mission reconnaissance demonstrator craft featured among the on-water displays and played host to a range of European military and procurement officials.

Building (and retaining) a skilled workforce has been a perennial challenge for Australia’s defence industry. As part of National Skills Week our co-founder and COO, Ryan Carmichael, joined a high-powered defence industry panel hosted by AIDN ACT to tackle this issue. Panellists included Mat Jones from BAE Systems and David French from Accenture, alongside moderator Andrew Cullens from Forge Advisory. Discussions focussed on how Australian companies can work to close the skills gap for defence, and overcome the challenges of ‘fishing from the same pond’. On the bright side, the lineup of young graduates and early career employees working in the local defence industry who were vying for AIDN ACT’s Young Achiever Award was truly impressive.

The TWPG team has had another fruitful week in Washington DC, taking the opportunity to meet with political leaders and military officials. In recent weeks our executive leadership team have met with staff from key offices including Senator Joni Ernst, Congressman Blake Moore, Congressman Dr Gregory J Murphy MD, Congressman Ronny Jackson, Senator Tedd Budd, Congressman Mike Gallagher, Congressman Joe Courtney.

Always a fascinating and rewarding event, The Whiskey Project Group were able to attend Modern Day Marine 2023 in Washington DC. Through interactive displays, products & services showcases and VIP guest speakers, we were able to learn about the latest innovations in military equipment and systems. It was a particular honour to meet with Rear Admiral Ian Murray AM, Australia’s Head of Defence Staff in the US.

The TWPG team was privileged to attend a national security discussion with Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman, hosted by Major General Arnold Punaro USMC (RET). Having both had extensive military careers, we were impressed by their deep insights and commitment to fostering allied ties. 

What a proud moment to see The Whiskey Project Group's supplied AFP watercraft transporting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Taronga Zoo. 

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The AFP10 is an enclosed cabin Naiad, rigid inflatable boat (RIB). On a typical day, the 11m vessel is used by federal police Protective Services Officers to maintain a security presence in Sydney Harbour, particularly at Kirribilli House, Admiralty House, and the Garden Island Defence Precinct. 

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We certainly hope Prime Minister Albanese and President Widodo enjoyed their time on our state-of-the-art Australian made, sovereign watercraft.

The Whiskey Project Group is proud to have our family of Whiskey Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft in the 2023 Australian Defence Sales Catalogue.
Consisting of our Alpha and Bravo variants, our craft are designed and manufactured to order with fit-for-purpose features and next-generation technology that have never before been collectively applied to a multi-role combatant craft.
Make sure to checkout our entry on page 165 of the catalogue and on the app.

EXPEDITION fifteen, Naiad recreational vessel, has been transported to Sydney and launched at its home berth.

This week marked another significant milestone in the launch of our exciting new range of Naiad Expedition vessels, with this exceptional fifteen metre variant hitting Sydney Harbour.
 

This video produced by NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries tells the story behind Aagal Wuulbiny, the 6.3m Naiad Aboriginal Training Vessel that we recently delivered to them with the beautiful Bindarray Maagun (River Feast) artwork.

We valued the opportunity to showcase our Veteran owned and operated sovereign #SME and discuss TWPGs journey from #youradf into the Australian #defenceindustry, and discuss our ongoing work providing fit-for-purpose cutting edge maritime technology to the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy as well as our partners and allies.

Teledyne FLIR's medium-range maritime surveillance system, the SeaFLIR 240, is literally the 'eyes' of our combatant craft, WHISKEY MMRC.

Featured recently in National Defense Magazine, we've partnered with Teledyne FLIR and Aries Defense LLC to deliver the operator a networked, low signature, advanced sensor capability for day or night maritime

The Whiskey Project's Darren Schuback, Michelle Mrdjen, Ollie Sattin and Tyler Marek were honoured to participate in Canada’s largest global defence and security show, CANSEC. Hosted by InterOp it was another opportunity to demonstrate the operational advantage the purpose-built combatant craft WHISKEY Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft (WHISKEY MMRC) can offer Canada’s military and law enforcement personnel.

The Whiskey Project's Darren Schuback was honoured to recently host Australia's Ambassador to the United States, The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, on board the purpose-built combatant craft  (WHISKEY MMRC) at MDM2022 in Washington DC. We discussed strengthening trade ties between Australia and the United States, as well as advanced manufacturing opportunities.

It was an honor to present the WHISKEY Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft to SECNAV Carlos Del Toro Commander Marine Forces Reserve Lieutenant General Dave Bellon and other #usmc leaders at Modern Day Marine yesterday.
Facing increasing potential for conflict in the Indo-Pacific, the Whiskey-MMRC has been doctrinally designed for the modernized #USMC to meet the urgent need for smaller, more agile, reliable, affordable and available combatant craft.

The Whiskey Project's Darren Schuback and Paul Kennedy were delighted to meet with Tommy Ross of the Department of the Navy Research, Development, and Acquisition (RD&A) at Modern Day Marine this week to discuss the WHISKEY MMRC in the context of next generation maritime technology as potential capabilities for the USMC and marines.

The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG) has announced the appointment of former Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin ONZM (retired) as the company’s Strategic Adviser.

WASHINGTON | The mashup of an Australian small boat designed for safety and an American sensors and communications suite that helped Marines secure the Kabul airport during the August evacuation may help fill a capability gap as the U.S. Marine Corps eyes distributed operations in the Pacific.

WASHINGTON | Australian and American entrepreneurs have launched a new military vessel designed by veterans and capable of being integrated into military intelligence-sharing systems if the new AUKUS partnership charges ahead.

The Hon. Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry, announces a $7m Defence Innovation Hub contract with The Whiskey Project for the development of their tactical multi mission watercraft.

The Hon. Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry, announces a $7m Defence Innovation Hub contract with The Whiskey Project for the development of their tactical multi mission watercraft.

Having only launched in March last year, the Whiskey Project, a designer and builder of next generation watercraft, have expanded their footprint significantly with the purchase of two ANZ SME businesses.

By Katherine Ziesing

Local Jobs Safe

Local jobs remain safe as one of the North Coast's oldest manufacturing businesses changes hands.

The Whiskey Project Group has announced the acquisition of two companies as it seeks to bolster its small watercraft manufacturing and design capabilities.

By Andrew McLaughlin 

The Whiskey Project is a new watercraft company led by two former Royal Australian Navy veteran. The company has acquired Australian boat manufacturer Yamba Welding & Engineering (YWE) and New Zealand based naval architecture firm Naiad.

The newly formed The Whiskey Project Group announce their acquisition of YWE and Naiad, heralding a new era of Australian maritime sovereign capability.

Australian tactical watercraft builder looks to expand production line in response to domestic and international interest.  Maritime technology firm The Whiskey Project continues to map out the future of its new family of mulit-role tactical watercraft.

By Ian Bostock

With careers in the navy behind them, Sydney veterans Darren Schuback and Ryan Carmichael are now building next-generation tactical watercraft that provide optimal performance and protection.  After 24 years of dedicated service in the Royal Australian Navy, Darren Schuback knew one thing for certain; it needed better boats.

By Luke Ryan

Veterans Darren Schuback and Ryan Carmichael established The Whiskey Project with the intent of disrupting the maritime technology space, launching the kind of modular tactical watercraft they wished they’d had access to when they served.

Minister Price launches navy industry strategy.  

Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price has opened a major defence conference in Sydney, telling media “the word exciting doesn’t seem to sum it up”.

After more than 20 years of back-breaking service in the navy, Darren Schuback figured he could build a better boat.  As a clearance diver - the Australian navy's equivalent of special forces - Mr Schuback saw too many other sailors who had suffered injuries or been left with chronic pain from riding in rigid inflatable boats.

by Andrew Tillet 

Government invests in new vessels for the defence force.

Australia's defence forces risk being left behind with the government admitting it underestimated rapid changes in technology. But today it was time for action, with the launch of a new wave of vessels to bring our naval fleet out of the 90s and into the future.

Pacific 2019

Read about the launch of The Whiskey Project and the next generation of tactcial watercraft to be unveiled.  Operator focused The Whiskey Project promises safer, more versatile and fit for purpose watercraft.