Defence Industrial Capability Plan
The Australian government has unveiled its Defence Industrial Capability Plan, outlining Australia’s long-term vision and objectives for Australia’s defence industry, and how the government and Defence will partner with industry to achieve that vision.
FILE PHOTO: A RAAF P-8A Poseidon supports sea trials for NUSHIP (now HMAS) Hobart off the coast of South Australia. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne launched the plan in a speech to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on 23 April.
The plan acknowledges the importance of a stronger, more resilient and internationally competitive defence industry.
“The plan addresses Australian defence and defence-industry sovereignty and outlines initial Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities,” Minister Pyne said.
“The government is already investing $200 billion in Defence capability over the next decade through the Integrated Investment Program.
“Importantly, this plan makes clear that to be considered an Australian defence company, having an ABN and a shopfront is no longer enough – we want to see Australian leadership, an Australian board, and an Australian workforce value-adding right here at home
“This plan highlights a range of opportunities for Australia’s defence industry over the next decade and reinforces the sustained partnership we need to position our defence industry to meet our defence capability needs.”
Minister Pyne said the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities were industrial capabilities critical to achieving the Australian Defence Force’s operational mission and to the development of our future force over the next few years.
The initial Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities are:
- Collins-class submarine maintenance and technology upgrade
- Continuous Shipbuilding Program (including rolling submarine acquisition)
- land combat vehicle and technology upgrade
- enhanced active and passive phased-array radar capability
- combat clothing survivability and signature reduction technologies
- advanced signal processing capability in electronic warfare, cyber and information security, and signature-management technologies and operations
- surveillance and intelligence data collection, analysis, dissemination and complex systems integration
- test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance
- munitions and small-arms research, design, development and manufacture
- aerospace platform deep maintenance.
“The priorities will be strategically managed across defence planning and decision-making processes from strategic guidance to force design, the Capability Life Cycle, including the Australian Industry Capability Program, and industry and innovation programs,” Minister Pyne said.
“A dedicated Sovereign Industry Capability Priority grants program with funding of up to $17 million per year will commence in the second half of 2018.
“Implementation of the Defence Industrial Capability Plan will be supported by Australian industrial strategies for each of the six Integrated Investment Program capability streams and Implementation Plans for each Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority from mid-2019.
“The plan also highlights the range of existing and new defence-industry and innovation programs that will be used as a system to build the capability of our defence industry, providing a valuable information source for companies seeking to support Australia’s defence capability.
“This first Defence Industrial Capability Plan demonstrates the government’s commitment to our defence industry and the nation’s long-term defence and national security,” Minister Pyne said.
“I encourage companies across Australia to read the plan and to make use of the support available to succeed in meeting Australia defence needs and to grow our defence exports.”
The Defence Industrial Capability Plan can be downloaded at: www.defence.gov.au/SPI/Industry/CapabilityPlan
Minister Pyne also opened a new Australian Defence Export Office in Canberra on 23 April.
He said the establishment of the Australian Defence Export Office was one of the key initiatives of the Defence Export Strategy released on 29 January 2018.
“The Australian Defence Export Office will provide a focal point for whole-of-government delivery of the systematic approach and initiatives set out in the strategy,” he said.
“Establishing the Australian Defence Export Office is a critical step in achieving the export success we need to support and develop the Australian defence industry of tomorrow.
“We have a clear strategic vision for a sovereign Australian defence industry that underpins our Defence capability – a defence industry that is sustainable and internationally competitive is crucial to this vision.
“I look forward to seeing Australian defence industry achieving greater export success, supported by the Australian Defence Export Office.”
The Australian Defence Export Office will deliver a range of initiatives to assist and support Australian defence industry, including producing market intelligence, partnering with industry in multi-year campaigns, and leading the Australian Military Sales and Team Defence Australia initiatives.
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