New strategy to support defence industry

The federal government has today released a plan that defines the strategic rationale for a sovereign defence industrial base and aims to maximise support for Australian industry, including SMEs and its critical contribution to national security.

The Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) outlines:

• Focus areas for the defence industrial base
• Procurement reforms including simplifying contracting
• The greater use of partnerships between defence and individual firms
• New mandates and sole sourcing contracts for key industry partners
• And further develops linkages between defence innovation and purchasing.

The government also announced increased funding for defence industry grants programmes, taking the taking the total investment to $183.8 million.

The 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.”

The DIDS also defined seven Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs) detailing areas for industry to invest:​

• 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
• And test and evaluation, certification and systems assurance.

Picture: Defence