Gathering in Hawaii to strengthen Defence S&T collaboration
Increasingly, defence innovation, science and technology (IS&T) activities are focused on delivering new technologies that can provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with an asymmetric advantage.
Technology has a significant impact on the character of warfare and deterrence, and the Defence Strategic Review recognised that it will shape the changing balance of power.
Collaboration and cooperation with international partners is increasingly paying dividends, as we combine our strengths and pool our resources to achieve our shared security goals.
Recently, Australia's Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, led a delegation to the Pacific Operational Science and Technology (POST) Conference in Hawaii.
POST is a leading forum for collaboration, and the exploration of opportunities for joint research, development, and experimentation with the United States Department of Defense.
Co-sponsored by the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the US National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the conference is a chance for delegates to share and understand operational issues in the region, and for science and technology experts to discuss and recommend solutions to these challenges.
Professor Monro presented a keynote address covering the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and its role in delivering Australia's Defence priorities, as well as an update on Australia's Innovation, Science and Technology ecosystem and the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).
The 2024 POST Conference theme was "Posturing for Tomorrow - Partnered / Positioned / Prepared". In her address Professor Monro discussed a range of capabilities and areas that Australia's defence ecosystem is focusing on, including autonomous systems like Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark, undersea warfare, and advances in the automation of command and control (C2) for operations, including the Agile C2 STaRShot digital twin system "Phoebe".
'Strengthening Australia's defence capabilities and working with partners to invest in their capabilities is a prudent response to our changing strategic environment,' said Professor Monro.
Important chance to touch base
Australia's Chief Defence Scientist and her delegation participated in a robust program of engagements, including bilateral meetings with Canada, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, trilateral meetings with the United States, Japan and Australia, and meetings with S&T Principals from AUKUS and the Five Eyes.
Among Australia's Defence delegation at POST was Mr Duncan Tailby (DSTG's S&T Chief of Joint Operations) and Commodore Andrew Quinn (Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) Director General Modernisation, Assessment and Assurance).
Mr Tailby and CDRE Quinn presented an overview of Australia's operational priorities, and the science and technology support that is needed to address them.
POST also brought together industry executives and engineers, university representatives, and other stakeholders to collaborate on how best to contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific region through science and technology.
'Australia's recent Defence Industry Development Strategy states we must identify and articulate priorities to industry,' said Professor Monro. 'Australia will continue to work with our partners to build a region that is stable, peaceful and prosperous, and where sovereignty is respected.'
DSTG enhances its science and technology impact by collaborating with research and industry partners, nationally and globally.
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