Army Chief Praises ADF Drone Racing Team at 125th Anniversary Celebrations

The Australian Army's 125th anniversary brought the expected parade of tradition and ceremony, but Chief of Army LTGEN Simon Stuart made a point of recognizing one of the force's more unconventional units: the ADF Drone Racing Team. The commendation framed drone racing not as a curiosity on the fringes of military culture but as a symbol of where the Army is heading.

The timing carries weight. The team is preparing to defend its world title for a sixth time at the Military International Drone Racing Tournament in Sydney this March, having most recently claimed a fifth straight championship at the MIDRT in the United Kingdom. That UK tournament, held over three days from September 16 to 18, drew 43 pilots from Australia, the UK, New Zealand and the United States, alongside new entries from Belgium, Germany and the Philippines. The ADF squad ground through a double elimination series, absorbing mid-air crashes and making quick repairs before holding off the field.

Army team captain Corporal Dan McCullock captured what the program means to its pilots. "It has been a fantastic week of racing, teamwork and excitement. To have the opportunity to be in the US to compete against the best military drone racing teams in the world is a huge thrill and then to win for the fourth time is really just amazing," McCullock said. The championship count varies depending on which tournament series is referenced, with DroneShield noting the team will compete for a sixth title in Sydney.

Wing Commander Keirin Joyce, who serves as President of the ADF Drone Racing Team, pointed to the cadet pipeline as a measure of how far the program has grown. Three of the fastest Australian Army Cadet drone racers competed alongside the senior ADF team at the MIDRT, despite having only picked up the sport at the start of 2024. Cadet Sergeant Angus Porter and Cadet Under Officer Zach Melvaine both finished in the top four Australians. "Drone racing requires so many skills that are transferable in all aspects of life and work. To win the title for a fourth time is a testament to the dedication, commitment and skill of our pilots, and the investment we've made in our Cadet program," Joyce said.

Melvaine reflected on the experience simply: "To be here as part of the Drone Racing Team is just an incredible experience. We have been able to share our passion and interest in drone racing."

The program's influence extends beyond the racecourse. In December 2025, the ADF Drone Racing Team was awarded the 2025 Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems Social Impact Award, recognizing its contributions to STEM engagement, promotion of uncrewed aerial systems career pathways, and eight years of youth outreach. Joyce described the team's mission in blunt terms: "We're not just racing drones. We're connecting with young Australians, sparking their curiosity and showing them that a future in aerospace, robotics or defence technology is within reach."

The operational dimension of the program is deepened by a renewed partnership with counter-drone company DroneShield, which has embedded its own pilots into ADF team activities for race preparation, skills development and experimentation with new tactics. Joint sessions run under competitive flying conditions and double as test environments for concepts around navigation, resilience and response to interference. "Our partnership with DroneShield helps drive innovation across Defence. By combining the expertise of pilots from the ADF drone racing team with cutting-edge counter-drone technology, we create a unique environment for testing, learning, and advancing Australia's operational edge," Joyce said. DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik framed the collaboration in similarly direct terms: "This collaboration is about more than racing. It's about building the skills and technologies that will define the next generation of Defence capability."

With the MIDRT coming to Sydney, the ADF team now has the chance to defend its title on home soil, in front of an Army that just spent its 125th anniversary declaring innovation part of its identity.