Defence digital strategy and roadmap launched

The federal government has released a 2024 Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap, which sets out Defence’s approach to delivering information and communications technologies (ICT) .

The Defence Strategic Review said that ICT is critical to Defence and modern warfighting capability, and underpins Australia’s preparedness to meet strategic circumstances.

The eight page Strategy and Roadmap outlines Defence’s strategic direction and priorities to elevate the digital landscape, and reinforces the critical role a digital backbone plays in achieving an integrated force able fit for the digital age.

Introducing the report the Minister for Veterans Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said: “The adoption of National Defence will see the Australian Defence Force (ADF) transition to an integrated, focused force, connected by an ecosystem of interoperable platforms that form Defence’s digital backbone.

“…Defence’s ambitious digital agenda will only be achieved through a commitment to action from across the Defence portfolio, strengthening our sovereign Defence Industrial base through effective partnerships.”

The Strategy focuses Defence’s digital agenda through three core priorities:

• Expanding and uplifting the Australian Defence Force and Australian Public Service to become a best-in-class workforce and reduce reliance on contractors
• Leveraging the power of leading global platforms
• And ensuring supply chain resilience, through a focus on strong partnerships to deliver sovereign technologies and capabilities.

Defence will work with industry and academia to implement the agenda.

“The Roadmap identifies ICT capabilities Defence will prioritise and address with urgency, including AI, hyperscalers and productivity platforms.

“The Government’s investments in enterprise data, digital platforms and networks will strengthen security, resilience and interoperability, and improve the ability to share data efficiently and at scale.”

These priority ICT capabilities will be delivered as part of the $8.5‑$11 billion the government will invest in enterprise data and ICT over the next 10 years through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.

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