Defence launches two new agencies

As it promised, the Australian Department of Defence on 1 July launched the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) to drive Defence innovation and the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) which will be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of the RAN’s nuclear-powered submarine program.

Australia’s strategic environment, made more uncertain by rapid technological development, demands a transformation of the defence innovation system to provide vital capabilities for the Australian Defence Force, say both of the Defence portfolio Ministers.

Under its interim Head, Professor Emily Hilder, head of DSTG’s Platforms Division, ASCA will depend on experts from inside and outside of Defence to lead targeted missions that respond to problem statements in order to solve some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. This approach will call upon the best innovators from across the country to work in partnership with industry and academia to rapidly deliver highly targeted disruptive technologies and give the ADF an asymmetric advantage, says 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,” he added. “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.”

The Albanese Government is investing $748 million in ASCA over the next four years, and $3.4 billion over the next decade. This is an additional $591 million above planned spending on defence innovation over the decade.

The focus this month is on engagement though DSTG’s Australian Defence Science and University Network (ADSUN), shortly followed by state-based industry forums hosted by Professor  Hilder. These sessions will establish 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.

More information and details on registration can be found at www.defence.gov.au/asca

The Australian Government also too the next step towards delivering Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with the launch of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). Its inaugural Director-General will be VADM Jonathan Mead. As chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, which the ASA replaces, VADM Mead demonstrated his leadership and judgement in supporting the establishment of the pathway to acquire this critical capability through the AUKUS partnership.

“The Australian Submarine Agency will be vital in developing the capability needed to operate our nuclear-powered submarines,” said Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy. “The Agency will play a critical role not only in growing and developing the Australian industrial base to deliver conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, but will also strengthen our partnership with the US and the UK, to deliver a stronger, more secure Australia and Indo-Pacific region.”

The ASA has over 350 staff and is expected to almost double to more than 680 staff over the next year, drawing on a diverse skillset required to deliver this significant endeavour. It will be headquartered in Canberra, with personnel located across the country and overseas in the United States and United Kingdom, working with communities, unions, industry and governments to deliver the nuclear-powered submarine program.

The ASA will be a statutory agency within the Defence portfolio and will report direct to the Minister for Defence.