Serious Business Error, page-9

Its plausible.. especially with all the R&D into drones too! At least SFI is using the limelight to their advantage.. but I wonder why they didn't try to evaluate the Nearmap's system?
However, with a reduced defence spending or restructuring in the industry, there may be significant cost advantage from outsourcing these operations to the private sector, especially with the amount of manpower and specialised expertise involved in it.
I wouldn't mind if SFI establishes separate spin off companies, set up solely for the defence industry. It can then licences its technologies to them, or even sell the spinoffs to Australian military and/or US or various foreign nations around the world. That way there would be not so much conflict of interest between rival nations with SFI servicing the private enterprises worldwide. And importantly SFI would still retain its original IP rights.

Anyhow, I would hate for SFI to go down the path of Newsat, who were contracted for providing satellite communication services to US ground troops in Afganisthan. This company became so reliant on revenue from military operations, that they suddenly became cash flow negative almost overnight, when the US government decided to terminate the contract, impending the withdrawal of their troops.
Shareholders never realised how much of Newsat's net revenue stream was dependant on that particular military contract, thanks to the company's non-disclosure agreement and the 'confidential nature of the contract/operation'. This was until the management finally revealed the bad news under an announcement for a major company restructure and cost cutting measures after a trading halt, and investors got burnt badly. It was despite Newsat having many various other areas of business operation in Teleports, remote communication, etc. Apparently they were also litigated by their contract provider, and are now in receivership due to their cash reserve drying up, leading to a bottleneck in creditors financing a major operation.
It is very difficult for investors to fully evaluate a company's position, and to make clear investment decisions with these confidential military contracts. And any geopolitical uncertainty would also add to the SP volatility and on its earnings.