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The Defence Trailblazer: Concept to Sovereign Capability program, a partnership between the University of Adelaide and UNSW Sydney, has revealed the list of its board members with the conditions of the grant finalised.
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It is hoped that the partnership would have a $1.5 billion benefit to the Australian economy over 10 years.
Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, executive director, Defence Trailblazer, explained that the program was designed as a nexus between defence, industry, and academia.
“The Defence Trailblazer program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between defence, academia, and industry whilst accelerating research and commercialisation,” Dr Mazumdar explained.
“The program aims to create a new trust-based, cross-sector culture founded on shared risk, shared problem solving, shared success, and a shared sense of strategic urgency.
“Formalisation of the grant enables the Defence Trailblazer team to commence work on various projects within the program that will focus on R&D, the defence workforce, innovation, and culture.”
The program was originally endorsed in April 2022 with a $50 million package from the federal government.
According to Dom English, the first assistant secretary for research at the Australian Department of Education, the program has been designed to help turn Australian universities into world-leading research institutions.
“There is a significant opportunity for universities to work hand-in-glove with Australian businesses to develop the next generation of great Australian inventions,” English said.
“The University of Adelaide-led program will drive these outcomes through its significant industry partners, and nearly $250 million in funding contributed through government, university, and industry.
“I look forward to seeing this project succeed along with the impact it will have for the defence industry.”
According to a recent release, the recently announced board members include:
- Chair: Ms Christine Zeitz – general manager, Asia-Pacific, Northrop Grumman Australia
- Major General (Ret’d) Kathryn Toohey AM CSC
- Professor Emily Hilder – chair, Platforms, Defence Science and Technology Group
- Professor Anton Middelberg – deputy vice-chancellor (research), University of Adelaide
- Professor Nickolas Fisk – deputy vice-chancellor (research and enterprise), UNSW
- Dr James Palmer – chief executive officer and co-founder, Silentium Defence
- Harry Hubbert – chief technology officer and director, Greenroom Robotics
Alongside Dr Mazumdar, Heather Nicoll was appointed general manager – workforce, innovation, and culture, while Dr Margaret Law was appointed as general manager, technology development and commercialisation.
Announced in April 2022, the collaboration aims to fast-track the development of 100 new defence products and capabilities, with a specific focus on autonomous technologies, hypersonics, and high frequency technologies.
Among the industry partners participating in the program are BAE Systems Australia, Supashock, Greenroom Robotics, and Silentium Defence.
The initiative is tipped to generate approximately 1,000 new jobs over the next four years.
“Our national economic plan is supercharging Australia’s research and development, creating more jobs and helping build a stronger economy for a stronger future,” then prime minister Scott Morrison said.
