Launch of More Together: Defence Science & Technology Strategy 2030

Minister for Defence, Senator The Hon Linda Reynolds CSC has launched a bold and ambitious new strategy for Defence science and technology.

“This strategy provides guidance to ensure the national science and technology (S&T) enterprise is strengthened and explicitly leveraged to achieve scale to address the strategic and geopolitical challenges we face,” she said.

More, together: Defence S&T Strategy 2030 will harness the efforts of the national Defence science and technology enterprise to deliver mission-directed research aimed at providing Australia with a critical capability advantage.

The strategy will allow Defence to draw on the innovation and expertise that resides in universities, start-ups, small businesses, publicly funded research organisations and corporations across Australia and transition that research directly into impact for Defence.

A centrepiece of the strategy is a set of ambitious science, technology and research strategic research programs, known as STaR Shots.

Borrowed “unapologetically” from the popular ‘moon shot’ concept, Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro explained that STaR Shots are designed to be challenging, inspirational and aspirational scientific endeavours that the whole nation can get behind.

“We don’t want to limit ourselves to the moon, we seek to go beyond into interstellar travel,” she said.

The eight STaR Shots are each focussed on capabilities that will be critical on the future battlefield:

• Disruptive weapon effects
• Remote undersea surveillance
• Information warfare
• Resilient multi-mission space
• Battle-ready platforms
• Agile command and control
• Operating in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environments
• Quantum-assured positioning, navigation and timing

Professor Monro outlined the key role Defence Science and Technology Group would have in enabling and coordinating support to Defence from the national S&T enterprise.

“Our key challenge in the coming decade will be investing in the right collaborations to deliver outcomes for Australia,” she said.

“We will meet this challenge by adopting a more targeted approach to engagement and collaboration within the science and technology ecosystem both nationally and internationally.”

More information on the Defence S&T strategy is available at www.dst.defence.gov.au/strategy