Defence signs new agreement with American defence R&D organisation

US defence R&D organisation MITRE Corporation and the Australian department of defence have signed a new collaboration agreement, with MITRE to establish an Australian presence.

The not-for-profit MITRE runs six federally-funded R&D centres in the US, assisting the US government with scientific and technological expertise, as well as participating in public-private programs. It was founded in 1958.

The new agreement was developed and administered by the Australia Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), according to a statement from defence. It would tap into the US organisation’s technical talents, and “build on an ongoing and successful working relationship with MITRE” that Australia enjoys, said Professor Tanya Monro, Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist.

“Our collaboration anticipates benefit to Australia by developing new concepts and emerging technologies to uplift sovereign capabilities that strengthen our national security and enhance the safety of the Indo-Pacific region,” Monro said.

Keoki Jackson, senior vice president and general manager of MITRE National Security Sector, said the organisation had been a conduit between the ADF and US partners for decades, and it would now establish a dedicated presence in Canberra.

“Our collaboration with Australia, a critical ally in the Pacific and every conflict for more than a century, will enable our nations to enhance decisions and implement optimized solutions to complex security and deterrence challenges of national and global significance,” added Jackson.

MITRE has sites around the US – with its two main locations at McLean, Virginia and Bedford, Massachusetts – as well as in Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore and the UK.

Image credit: www.mitre.org/capabilities/overview

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