Major national security tech alliance launches with Aerologix a founding member
Australia’s leading drone intelligence pioneer bolsters sovereign tech power
Australia’s leading aerial data and drone intelligence platform, Aerologix, has been named a Founding Member of the newly formed National Security Tech Alliance (NSTA) - a landmark initiative launched by the Tech Council of Australia and supported by industry and government partners to secure Australia’s future through technology.
NSTA brings together some of the world’s most trusted organisations, including Microsoft, Thales, CyberCX, Google, Nokia, and CSIRO, to strengthen national resilience through strategic collaboration in critical technologies such as cybersecurity, drones, AI, quantum and secure communications.
Aerologix’s inclusion positions it alongside the country’s most influential defence-aligned technology leaders at a time when sovereign capability has become a top national priority.
Aerologix Founder and CEO Tom Caska says the appointment reflects the growing strategic role of secure drones, AI-powered mapping, and geospatial intelligence across national defence, infrastructure and emergency response.
“We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s top innovators to help secure Australia’s digital and physical frontiers,” he said.
“Being part of the NSTA cements Aerologix’s role in shaping sovereign capability through advanced air mobility and geospatial AI.”
The NSTA offers a new model of public-private collaboration to ensure Australia is prepared for the technological challenges of the next decade. The coalition is designed to:
Promote Australian capability in emerging technologies, including drones, AI, secure infrastructure, and critical communications
Accelerate collaboration with AUKUS partners through Pillar 2 trilateral R&D programs;
Reduce reliance on foreign technology providers, bolster sovereign manufacturing, and protect supply chains
Shape government policy to better support domestic innovation in defence-aligned technologies
As a founding member, Aerologix brings:
A network of 40,000+ certified drone pilots across Australia
A cloud-based geospatial platform used by infrastructure, utilities, and emergency services
Patent-backed AI mapping technology that supports real-time, high-stakes decision-making
Trusted operational alignment with CASA, airspace regulators and national emergency response frameworks
The formation of the NSTA comes amid a global shift toward agile, autonomous and software-defined defence capabilities. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, now a key advisor to the US government, has championed a new era of defence procurement focused on “affordable, autonomous, and abundant” systems - a trend that is unlocking major opportunities for tech startups with dual-use capabilities.
Tom Caska says Aerologix’s founding membership reflects Australia’s recognition of this shift.
“The defence landscape is changing fast. Australia can’t afford to rely solely on legacy systems,” he said.
“We need nimble, homegrown tech companies that can respond at speed. Aerologix is proof that Australian innovation can compete globally, and the NSTA is the mechanism to bring that capability into national focus.”
Aerologix continues to scale rapidly through major technology alliances. The company recently partnered with Soar to build the world’s largest digital atlas of drone-captured imagery and joined forces with Mappa, an emerging leader in AI-powered mapping, to deliver next-gen aerial intelligence to clients in infrastructure, energy and public safety.
Pic Aerologix Founder and CEO Tom CaskaAerologix is a Sydney-based drone start-up that provides a marketplace for clients to locate their local drone pilot to complete aerial imagery projects. The company uses a patented algorithm and geolocation to match clients with skilled and qualified drone pilots in Australia. Drone technology will save time and money and ensure the safety and efficiency of delivering on-demand drone data for the customer and a seamless flight experience for the pilot.
Former Qantas pilot Tom Caska and IT expert Rakesh Routhu started the company in 2019. They met doing their MBAs at UNSW, having previously held their own start-up companies in drone technology and robotics. Aerologix has over 36,000 pilots on its platform, who have additionally completed enterprise jobs across industries including surveying, infrastructure, renewables, telecommunications and construction.
