The Australian defence industry today welcomed the announcement of the Defence Innovation Partnership as an important step in strengthening collaboration between government, industry and academia that will facilitate research and development partnerships and boost Australia’s defence capabilities.
Defence Teaming Centre CEO, Margot Forster said the new Partnership between South Australia’s three universities, the Defence Science and Technology Group and both State and Federal Governments, represents a significant new level of cooperation that will be positive for industry and boost its capacity to deliver world-class capabilities to the Australian Defence Force.
“This Partnership is a positive and necessary step that will help to ensure our universities and industry work together on defence-related programs and research, and have the necessary resources to deliver superior defence capability,” said Ms Forster.
Setting strong foundations for Research and Development and driving innovation will mean we have the high level skills and capabilities required to meet Australian Defence Force requirements and create a globally competitive Australian defence industry.
In order to develop an enduring sovereign industrial capability, we must have a strong local defence industry, SMEs will be critical to our success. Today’s announcement will foster innovation and support defence enterprises to further develop and improve their capabilities.
Initiatives such as the Defence Innovation Partnership are vital if we are to successfully deliver the significant capability modernisation program announced as part of the Defence White Paper and associated Integrated Investment Program.
“We welcome today’s announcement, and look forward to seeing the benefits that will stem from this closer collaboration,” said Ms Forster.
