The Australian Government is investing almost $40 million in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s ability to make faster, more accurate decisions across increasingly complex operational environments.
The funding is being delivered through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s Emerging and Disruptive Technologies program, which has signed 14 new contracts focused on building what Defence describes as “Decision Advantage” across air, land, maritime, space and cyber domains.
Decision Advantage – the capacity to make better decisions faster than any potential adversary – is one of six key capability effects outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
The latest round of contracts supports cutting-edge proposals in areas including machine reasoning, automated data integration and artificial intelligence, all aimed at accelerating Defence decision-making.
In total, 123 submissions were received through the call for proposals, highlighting what Defence says is the growing breadth and depth of Australia’s sovereign science and technology capability.
Successful organisations include universities, research institutions and private technology firms across multiple states and territories, with individual contracts ranging from just over $1 million to more than $3.2 million.
Chief Defence Scientist Prof. Tanya Monro AC said continued investment in advanced technologies was critical as the strategic environment evolved.
“As technology evolves, Defence is continually investing in the cutting-edge capabilities the Australian Defence Force needs to keep Australians safe,” she said.
“These investments build long-term partnerships with industry, research institutions and our world-leading universities so we can develop the technology we need faster.”
She added that backing Australian expertise was essential in responding to emerging challenges. “While the information environment in our region and around the world continues to change, we’re backing Australian researchers, innovators and engineers to deliver home-grown solutions to emerging challenges,” Prof. Monro said.
Head of ASCA Major General Hugh Meggitt said the funding would also help shape future Defence capability development.
“The investment of $40 million in the EDT Decision Advantage Program is an important activity to develop future capability and inform potential future ASCA Missions to provide an asymmetric advantage to the ADF,” he said.
Defence said the EDT program plays a key role in future-proofing the national defence innovation ecosystem, ensuring the ADF can rapidly access and integrate advanced technologies as threats evolve.
