The Defense Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) articulates for the first time the defense industrial base needed in the face of the changing strategic circumstances outlined in the Defense Strategic Review. This landmark strategy details the actions the Government will take to grow that industrial base, which employs more than 100,000 Australians, and deliver a greater partnership between Defense and industry.
In addition to critical procurement reforms within Defense, the Albanese Government is announcing increased funding for defense industry grants programs, taking the total investment to $183.8 million, in alignment with the DIDS.
The Government said in its response to the Defense Strategic Review that Australia requires strong defense capabilities of our own and a fully integrated Australian Defense Force to contribute to the strategic balance of power that keeps the peace in our region.
Defense industry is critical to delivering on this key objective. Together, Defense and industry create, maintain and sustain vital capabilities that offer Australia a competitive advantage and contribute to regional stability.
With the release of the DIDS, industry will have clarity on the priorities for Defense through the Sovereign Defense Industrial Priorities (SDIPs). The SDIPs provide detail, certainty and timelines that Australian industry needs to invest and was sorely missing under the former Government.
This new level of detail provides industry with information they need to prepare, invest and deliver on development, production and sustainment of Defense capabilities.
The seven Sovereign Defense Industrial Priorities are:
- Maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade of Australian Defense Force aircraft.
- Continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment.
- Sustainment and enhancement of the combined arms land system.
- Domestic manufacture of guided weapons, explosive ordnance and munitions.
- Development and integration of autonomous systems.
- Integration and enhancement of battlespace awareness and management systems.
- Test and evaluation, certification and systems assurance.