Who this is for: Program and capability owners in government, defence and primes who need a working system, not a report.
Which should you choose?
- Choose a large consultancy if the work is mostly strategy, change management or a very large program that needs hundreds of people and existing panel arrangements.
- Choose an offshore team if the work is well-specified software with no sovereignty, security or hardware constraints, and cost per hour is the deciding factor.
- Choose RS9 if you need a working prototype or system that spans AI, software, electronics and airframes or robots, built in Australia by one team that designs, builds and tests in-house.
- Bringing in RS9 probably is not worth it if your need is a strategy paper, a pure staffing arrangement, or a large program already running well with an existing supplier.
The decisions that matter
| Decision | Large consultancyMultinational advisory and delivery firms | Offshore development teamDelivery centres outside Australia | RS9Australian AI and engineering lab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of work | Broad: strategy through delivery | Mainly software delivery | AI, software, PCBs and embedded systems, drones and robotics |
| Hardware and prototypes | Usually through partners | Rarely | Designed, built and tested in-house: airframes, actuators, circuit boards |
| Where the work is done | Varies by engagement | Outside Australia | Sydney, Australia |
| Data hosting | Varies | Varies | Australian, AWS Sydney |
| Quality system | Check each firm | Check each firm | Aligned to AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 |
| Scale | Very large teams available | Large teams available | A small senior team; not built for programs needing hundreds of people |
| Who you work with | Depends on the team assigned | Usually through a local account manager | The engineers who design and build it |
Same job: prove a drone sensing concept works
Demo scenario with illustrative steps, not client data.
Large consultancy
- Discovery and options paper
- Partner selection for hardware
- Integration across suppliers
- Demonstration
Offshore development team
- Software is specified and built offshore
- Hardware sourced and integrated separately
- Flight testing arranged locally
RS9
- Simulation and CFD on candidate designs
- Airframe, electronics and on-device AI built in the lab
- Bench test, then flight test
- Evidence pack with test results and configuration records
Pricing the same scenario
- Rates and engagement models vary widely and are rarely published, so we do not compare prices here.
- Compare on the same scenario: the same outcome, the same test evidence, the same timeframe. Include hardware, integration across suppliers and the cost of rework.
What switching involves
- What transfers: requirements, designs, data and test records. Make sure your current contract gives you these.
- What may need rebuilding: anything delivered without source files or design files.
- Test before committing: a scoped first stage with a working deliverable.
How this page was checked
Prepared by RS9. Facts checked 16 October 2026. This page compares categories of supplier, not named firms. Statements about other categories are general and should be checked with any firm you consider.
Brief us on your situation and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.