Government Announces most Significant Reshaping of Defence Innovation In Decades to Boost National Security
27 April 23
The Albanese Government is transforming Australia’s defence innovation ecosystem to deliver the advanced technologies urgently needed for Australia’s national security.
The Government will invest $3.4 billion over the next decade to establish the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA). This is an additional $591 million above current planned spending on defence innovation.
Australia has lost the ten year warning time. The Defence Strategic Review concluded that we need more effective support for innovation, faster acquisition and better links between Defence and industry to deliver the capabilities the Australian Defence Force (ADF) needs.
ASCA will be a key element of the Defence innovation, science and technology program. Priorities for the program are hypersonics, directed energy, trusted autonomy, quantum technology, information warfare and long-range fires.
It will focus on defined missions, solving the most relevant technical issues, and taking a more flexible and agile approach to procurement. This will ensure game-changing ideas are developed into capabilities that give the ADF an asymmetric advantage.
This is the most significant reshaping of defence innovation in decades that will deliver vital capabilities for the ADF, as well as create more jobs in the Australian defence industry commercialising the technologies. It will support innovative Australian solutions to the challenges we face.
ASCA will be guided by senior levels in Defence; the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Chief Defence Scientist and the Deputy Secretary, Capability Acquisitions and Sustainability Group. This will allow it to be up and running quickly by 1 July 2023, with a phased start up over the first 18 months to develop, test and refine the operating model.
It will replace the Defence Innovation Hub and Next Generation Technologies Fund, which the Defence Strategic Review identified are no longer fit for purpose in Australia’s current strategic environment.
Footnote: Following the announcement, the Defence Innovation Hub portal will close on Friday 2 June 2023, 5pm AEST.
All proposals submitted to the Defence Innovation Hub prior to Friday 2 June 2023, will continue to be evaluated and considered for Defence investment. Proposals in draft that are not submitted by 2 June 2023, will not be evaluated.
Source: Defence Press Release