Christopher Pyne, Australian minister for defense industry, has unveiled the country’s investment priorities under an innovation program that supports technology development efforts in the defense sector.The Australian defense department said Wednesday the country invested $1.3Â billion in defense industry and innovation projects over the next decade, which includes $507.6 million to fund technology development initiatives through the Defence Innovation Hub.
“Research and development fuels innovation, so understanding our investment priorities up front will allow industry and research organizations to plan their R&D investments accordingly,” said Pyne.
The Defence Innovation Hub will accept industry proposals in six “capability streams” including:
- intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, space and cyber
- key enablers
- air and sea lift
- maritime and anti-submarine warfare
- strike and air combat
- land combat and amphibious warfare
The Australian government’s top three investment priorities for fiscal year 2018 include ISR, EW, space and cyber; key enabling platforms such as critical infrastructure and information technology; and land combat and amphibious warfare.
In the next fiscal year, Australia looks to invest in ISR and EW technologies that aid joint decision support, cyber and joint capability; autonomous identification tools; and special operations capabilities.
