Defence goes digital to connect with industry

The Department of Defence has launched a Defence Digital Engineering Strategy to transform how it works with businesses and speed up capability acquisition and address operational gaps.

The strategy is a key outcome of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and 2024 National Defence Strategy, which identified the need for Defence to accelerate digital technologies.

According to Defence this is an engineering strategy built upon digital transformation programmes undertaken by the United States Department of Defense..

It outlines Defence’s commitment to streamline processes through an approach that better connects people, tools and data.

The aim is increased collaboration with industry, better decision making and faster introduction of capability across the Australian Defence Force.

Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Chris Deeble (pictured) said the Defence Digital Engineering Strategy was a critical step in further developing how Defence and industry work together.

Deeble said: “By working more closely with industry in this space, existing partners and small to medium enterprises will have the opportunity to contribute to the design of shared collaborative platforms, delivering speed to capability in a secure and streamlined digital environment.

“The Defence Digital Engineering Strategy is about leveraging technologies to enhance efficiency, accessibility and innovation.

“This strategy…further opens the door for industry-wide digital engineering consultation and collaboration.”

Under the strategy, Defence will work in close consultation with industry and universities to develop a greater understanding of digital engineering practices for collaboration.

Picture: Chris Deeble