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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) have announced a new plan for collaborative mission-directed research to ensure Australia’s forces maintain a capability edge.
Titled ‘More, together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030’, it reiterates the necessity for our national science and technology enterprise to focus on big opportunities.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said it is more important than ever to harness science and technology for a secure Australia.
“Australia’s defence and national security is facing a period of technological change and increasing threats. That is why the Australian government is committed to growing Australia’s ability to operate, sustain and upgrade our defence capabilities with the maximum degree of national sovereignty through the 2018 Defence Industrial Capability Plan,” Minister Reynolds said.
Over the next decade, DST will play a vital role in enabling and co-ordinating the support to Defence from a national science and technology enterprise.
Minister Reynolds said publicly funded research agencies, universities, industry, small to medium enterprises and entrepreneurship are critical elements to this.
“A key challenge for Defence in the coming decade will be investing in the right collaborations to deliver outcomes for Australia. That is why Defence must adopt a more targeted, top-down approach to engagement within the S&T ecosystem, both nationally and internationally,” Minister Reynolds added.
The 2016 Defence White Paper outlined the government’s commitment to ensuring Australia maintains a regionally superior Australian Defence Force with the highest levels of military capability and scientific and technological sophistication.
To meet the challenges of our evolving context, DST has led the development of a new science and technology (S&T) strategy for Defence, in consultation with senior leadership across Defence, industry, academia and international partners.
'More, together' marks an important step in taking us into the future to deliver strategic advantage across the full spectrum of Defence capabilities.
Focusing our national S&T enterprise on mission-directed research will ensure Defence is best positioned to realise capability advantage in a rapidly evolving environment.
Minister Reynolds added, “Key to this is a well-connected, informed and vibrant defence science and technology enterprise.”
