You are invited to participate in a discussion regarding the development of the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) Strategy on Wednesday 8 May 2024. 

The discussion will be based in Melbourne with live-stream participation available from Hobart.  Please register your attendance in either Melbourne or Hobart by Friday 3 May 2024 using the links at the bottom of the page.

The Defence Strategic Review (DSR) highlights that strategic demand for Defence’s capability innovation systems has never been higher. Defence must have a national science and technology system that enables the development of disruptive military capabilities, including harnessing advanced and emerging technologies to provide asymmetric advantage for the ADF.

To achieve this, Defence’s IS&T ecosystem must be optimised to deliver capability by focussing on Defence’s strategic priorities and developing scale through leveraging national and international partners. Defence needs to accelerate technology research and innovation relating to capability, appropriately signal demand to Australian research and industry sectors, and ensure clear communication and linkages with those sectors.

 A number of strategic shifts are required of the Defence IS&T ecosystem:

*become more integrated with greater coordination and strategic direction to prioritise IS&T that will create an asymmetric capability advantage for Defence,

*rapidly pull through innovations to capability drawing on the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and service innovation,

*more tightly integrate IS&T into Defence procurement,

*a consistent approach to university engagement,

*greater clarity in roles and responsibilities across the ecosystem,

*ensure the security of research, and

*the need to work collectively to build self-sustaining, sovereign investment in Defence IS&T.

An updated Defence IS&T strategy, replacing the More, together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030, will provide the clear direction, initiatives and targets required to achieve these shifts. The Strategy, titled the ‘Defence IS&T Strategy – Accelerating Asymmetric Advantage – delivering More, together’ will be for the whole Defence enterprise, shaped to deliver what is required of the IS&T ecosystem.

The purpose of the Strategy is to create capability advantage for the war fighter through Defence innovation, science and technology. This will enhance Defence’s ability to defend, deter and respond in the national interest.

 A public release is planned for September 2024, to coincide with the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit.

***Event Details***

Melbourne 

Time: 10: 00 am with registration opens at 9:30am

Location: Deakin Downtown, Tower 2, Level 12, 727, Collins St, Melbourne VIC. A downloadable map and other information can be view here.

Hobart  (In-house live- streaming)

Time : 10:00 am with registration opens at 9:30am.

Location : Department of State Growth Offices, 4 Salamanca Place, Parliament Square Building, Hobart.