The Government of Australia has released a new plan that will serve as a key guidance for testing and assessing equipment and other systems for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The ‘Test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Implementation Plan’ was released in a bid to support the development of specialist expertise in the local defence industry.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said: “The test and evaluation of Defence capability is necessary to ensure Australian Defence Force personnel are safe and their equipment is fit-for-purpose.
“As Defence capabilities become increasingly connected, we also need to ensure our systems work effectively with those of our coalition partners and that discrete systems can come together to form a holistic joint force.
“As technology advances, industry and Defence need to work together to adapt to new ways of thinking. This is particularly important in testing new or emerging capabilities in the information and cyber domain, as outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan.”
The minister added that the plan particularly outlines the industrial capabilities that the local industry need to focus on to ensure the delivery of appropriate systems to the ADF.
It also highlights key areas that require collaboration between industry and defence practitioners.
This year, Australia has announced an investment package of A$1bn ($720m) to support the local industry. The funding will be utilised to accelerate innovation, skill development, cyber training and other activities.
