Australia has clear defence industry priorities including developing a local drone manufacturing sector. Here Dr Peter Layton examines Defence’s recent drone purchases, and asks why then, do we buy overseas made drones and not the best value or most advanced ones at that? In late February the Minister for Defence Industry launched the Defence Industry…
Defence industry minister Pat Conroy has openly called the government’s move from innovation policies of the previous government to one of picking winners. Answering questions after a speech top the ASPI defence conference, Conroy said moves to link innovation grants more directly to purchasing decisions by Defence was picking winnners. Conroy said: “We have to…
Defence’s technology solutions development programme, the Defence Trailblazer has launched a new $12 million grant scheme to accelerate the development of defence industry capabilities. Defence Trailblazer’s new Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) grant programme will fast-track the translation of defence R&D into industry capabilities. Executive Director Dr Sanjay Mazumdar said: “The Defence Industry Development Strategy…
Today in our editorial series – Towards 3% R&D – Turbocharging Australia’s Innovation Effort – Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy explains how the government has built new structures to link defence innovation with commercial outcomes, building the defence industrial base in the process. A strong and sovereign innovation, science and technology sector is critical to…
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…
