The Australian Government has established its first Defence Research Centre, aiming to strengthen the nation’s defence innovation ecosystem.
According to the Department of Defence, the centre forms a central part of the recently launched 2024 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy.
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It will unite defence, industry, universities, and research organisations in a coordinated effort to accelerate research and technology development for national security.
The Defence Research Centres are designed as a new national partnership model aiming to accelerate research, develop sovereign capabilities, and address complex capability challenges facing the Australian Defence Force.
An Australian Government defence spokesperson said: “The Defence Research Centre programme is a significant step in strengthening Australia’s sovereign research and innovation capability.
“By bringing together defence, universities, research organisations and industry, we are creating a new national partnership model to help solve some of Defence’s most complex capability challenges.”
The Department stated that a competitive process will be launched to select the lead partner responsible for establishing and operating the inaugural centre.
The selection will involve stakeholders from various research, industry, and innovation sectors, focusing on projects aligned with defence priorities.
The first centre, titled the Operational Energy Transitions Defence Research Centre, is among two such research centres planned for the 2025-26 period.
The spokesperson added: “Defence Research Centres will provide secure environments for collaboration, helping to grow our national research and development base while strengthening Australia’s defence innovation ecosystem.”
