Australian Defence has begun rolling out the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, which will develop advanced capabilities to boost Australia’s national security.
Backed by experts from inside and outside of Defence, ASCA will take a novel approach towards transitioning ideas into capabilities that provide an asymmetric advantage for soldiers, sailors, and aviators of the Australian Defence Force.
“The Accelerator is up and running less than three months since the Government received the Defence Strategic Review,” said Pat Conroy, minister for Defence Industry.
“It will unlock and ignite innovation from across the nation, bringing together the best experts from different sectors – driving change from within Defence to move at the pace and scale we need.
“This will mean faster acquisition and better links between Defence and industry to deliver the capabilities the soldiers, sailors and aviators of the Australian Defence Force need.”
In a media release, Australian Defence said the new approach will involve Australia’s top innovators, who will collaborate with industry and academia to deliver highly targeted disruptive technologies rapidly.
The accelerator initiative will initially focus on engagement through the Australian defence science and university networks, shortly followed by state-based industry forums hosted by Interim Head Professor Emily Hilder.
The sessions are expected to create a culture of collaboration that will inform future partnerships and provide an opportunity to hear more about how to be a part of accelerating Defence capability.
ASCA has received a four-year $748 million investment from the Australian government, along with $3.4 billion in funding to support its operations over the next decade.
