In late February 2024, the Federal Government announced a master plan for greater defence industry collaboration, the Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS).
DIDs outlined a framework to expedite procurement, support, and development of Defence capability signalling stronger partnerships between Defence and industry.
At the time of the announcement, the Government also announced increased funding for defence industry grants programs, bringing the total investment to almost $184 million.
For Queensland’s defence industry community, this means more opportunity for collaboration and innovation with Defence.
Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy said:
“Australia’s defence industry supports over 100,000 Australian jobs. It is an essential partner in keeping Australians safe at home, secure in the world and employed in well-paid, high skill jobs.
“This strategy will underpin essential reforms that will ensure that critical capabilities are provided to the men and women of the ADF as soon as possible, while also supporting an industry vital to our national security.
“I look forward to working with industry to implement the Defence Industry Development Strategy, and deliver an innovative, resilient and competitive Australian defence industrial base that creates a stronger, more secure Australia.”
An action plan for collaboration
Building upon the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, DIDS articulates the actions needed to build and grow Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base and strengthen partnership between Defence and industry.
This includes:
- Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities supported by detailed information.
- Reforms to procurement processes.
- Growing and developing the workforce required to deliver defence industrial capability.
- Uplifting the security posture of defence industry.
- An approach to innovation.
- Changes to the way Defence engages with industry to better inform industry of Defence’s needs and Defence of industry’s capabilities.
Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs)
The strategy introduces seven Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs), designed to give industry partners the critical information and direction they need to prepare, invest, and deliver Defence capabilities.
The seven Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities are:
- Maintenance, repair, overhaul, and upgrade of Australian Defence Force aircraft.
- Continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment.
- Sustainment and enhancement of the combined arms land system.
- Domestic manufacture of guided weapons, explosive ordnance, and munitions.
- Development and integration of autonomous systems.
- Integration and enhancement of battlespace awareness and management systems.
- Test and evaluation, certification, and systems assurance.
Access the full Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) here.
The role of ADSUN in supporting DIDS
Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN) nodes like QDSA play a key role in opening doors and establishing connections.
DIDS recognises this with the mention of ADSUN as critical to collaboration with the Defence ecosystem in chapter 7, page 62:
“Defence supports the university and research ecosystem through DSTG, particularly through the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN), which connects Defence with researchers from universities, industry and the broader research community. DSTG will strengthen the role of ADSUN in connecting industry with the defence innovation system through visibility of Defence innovation, science and technology opportunities.”
QDSA is the Queensland node of ADSUN, so if you’re exploring innovative R&D into capabilities that could be applied to Defence, we encourage you to reach out to our team. Let us connect you with the right partners and DSTG to deliver capability to Defence and take advantage of these new and increased funding programs to help accelerate sovereign capability for Australia’s Defence.
QDSA Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is a university-led initiative to grow and connect an agile Defence innovation ecosystem, leveraging Queensland’s strengths, to deliver trusted solutions to meet Defence requirements.
