The Australian government is providing a financial boost to two local companies to support the rapid development of technology to degrade integrated air and missile defence systems (IAMD) of potential adversaries. The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Mission 1 has now moved to delivery phase which will see two local companies, based in Adelaide and Brisbane, continue to develop their IAMD technology to give the Australian Defence Force (ADF) a capability edge. The ability to degrade IAMD systems of potential adversaries at long ranges is a capability priority for the ADF in line with the National Defence Strategy.
The next phase of ASCA Mission 1 – named Black Thorn – is also a pivotal milestone for ASCA. After 18 months of learning, ASCA is refining its operating model and delivering a new, agile approach to rapidly deliver the next generation of technology for Defence. This initial investment of $61.5 million underscores the government’s commitment to keeping Australians safe but also ensures a future made in Australia by igniting innovation and supporting high-skilled, local jobs.
The awarding of these contracts followed an open approach to market which resulted in funding of nine companies to undertake a co-design effort. ASCA has now entered 12-month contracts with two of the companies to further develop and demonstrate the capability.
Due to security sensitivities, the identity of the companies and details about the technologies will not be publicly disclosed at this stage.
ASCA was established to accelerate delivery of capabilities to the ADF including by supporting and investing in emerging and disruptive technologies and nurturing innovations that address priority capability needs.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “This investment demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to supporting and accelerating the development of innovative technologies that meet the ADF’s capability priorities. We are proud to work with innovative Australian companies that play a critical role in developing technology that can give the ADF a capability edge over a much bigger and more powerful adversary. With this announcement today, the Albanese Government is not only backing local innovation but also supporting local jobs and building Australia’s Future.”
Another grandiose statement made by a government that has not increased the four year defence forward estimates by a cent and indeed has not even maintained the budget in real terms. If defending the country by making grandiose statements but promptly doing nothing for 10 years was all a government needed to do to defend its citizens, Australia would be a global superpower. 18 months of so-called “learning” and now a $61m future investment? Anyone who can spell missile knows this is a drop in the ocean. When is the government going to start taking the defence of the nation seriously and increase the defence budget NOW by 10% per year compounding at the expense of that monstrosity of a financial black hole that doubles as the NDIS. Please get serious Messrs Marles and Conroy and stop treating the public like they are idiots.
It’s the ALP member one. They continually make defence procurement announcements but those announcements when closely examined are in the forward estimates. Just like this one. There is NO date for the actual money to change hands and probably never will be.
The government seems to be more interested in providing jobs than acquiring the weapons no matter what military venture they undertake. Leaving Australia with very little to show for.
Yeap, just like Britain, increasing defense spending by billions for nothing while the forces are cut to nothing.
Britain is the example of who not to follow in defense policy and procurement in the 21st.
Ironically the French seem to be the opposite. They spend something like 30 percent less but have a force structure 30 percent larger.
Most project with the French at the moment seem on time and on budget.
These announcements always remind me of the cartoon of the Politician, sitting on the couch with his half naked secretary , proclaiming “Once I’m elected it will be better” .