June 2023
The unmanned subs and export rules shaping Australia’s maritime future
Autonomous submarines are set to change how Australia patrols the oceans. But US export controls have to be loosened before the most advanced versions ply the waters.
- Matthew Cranston
October 2022
Conroy urges US to relax ‘stubborn’ barriers to tech transfer
Defence industry minister Pat Conroy urged the US to relax barriers to military technology transfer.
- Matthew Cranston
September 2022
Defence spending adds $9b to Australian economy
Australia’s domestic defence sector grew almost 6 per cent and contributed just shy of $9 billion to the economy in 2021-22, accounting for about 20 per cent of overall defence procurement.
- Ronald Mizen
April 2022
AUKUS sets up AI, quantum tech working groups
Seventeen trilateral working groups have begun work under the AUKUS banner, with nine focused on conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, and eight relating to other advanced military capabilities.
- Matthew Cranston
January 2022
US Air Force chief sees Indo-Pacific investment shortfalls
The US Secretary of Air Force says he is only now identifying shortfalls in allied interoperability.
- Matthew Cranston
December 2020
Collins class subs get $24m Aussie system overhaul
The Australian Navy's ageing Collins class submarine fleet will undergo a $23.7 million upgrade of its sonar systems, including an Australian-developed mine avoidance system.
- Ronald Mizen
October 2020
US-China rift drives Australia's defence agenda
An increasingly assertive China and a volatile Donald Trump means when it comes to national security, Australia has needed to step up, and fast.
- Ronald Mizen
June 2020
- Exclusive
- AFR focus defence
Long-term industry set to ride out economic downturn
The ongoing nature of big defence contracts means they are even more sought after by states wanting a strong economic multiplier in tough times.
- Simon Evans
February 2020
Beware China's growing offensive capability, US warns
The commander of US Armed Forces in the Indo-Pacific has warned of a growing gap in offensive capability between China and its neighbours, including Australia.
- Bo Seo
November 2017
Forging closer links with commercial partners crucial for military
The mindset of the Next Generation Technologies Fund is the realisation that government and defence need to have stronger relationships with commercial partners.
- Updated
- Mark Eggleton
Military familiar with disruptive technology
Technological change can often be unsettling, particularly if the technology itself poses a threat to an existing business model or a way of life.
- Updated
- Nigel Whitehead
Big boost for cyber security
Australia's need to develop a strong homegrown cyber security sector received a boost when the Federal Government undertook to fund a Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre.
- Updated
- Mark Eggleton
New device to improve treatment of combat wounds
The cutting-edge gadget uses hyper spectral imaging, which can also assist with the diagnosis and early detection of infection in wounds.
- Updated
- Jonathan Porter
October 2017
Expanding defence sector requires expanded R&D
Defence companies need continually to be improving both products and technology. R& D promotes this, along with absorptive capacity.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson
Advanced manufacturing vibrant despite end of car production
Manufacturing embraces a series of different phases, from R&D at one end through to sales and service at the other.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson
Modern mining has implications for defence
Australia's miners are finally changing the common perception of a mine worker as somebody with a pickaxe and a lamp in his helmet.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson
September 2017
Small business can have edge in defence spending
SMEs have found a niche doing something that's too specialised for a prime contractor, or which a prime cannot do in-house economically.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson
Sovereign defence capability critical: Alex Zelinsky
If industry is a fundamental input to Australia's defence capability, as last year's Defence White Paper proclaimed, this has some important implications.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson
Boosting exports the goal: Christopher Pyne
Australia is a major spender on defence but still not one of the major defence exporting countries, however, that could change.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson
Collaboration the key to advanced defence manufacturing
Defence technology is no longer the domain of the solitary inventor as modern defence equipment is complex and integrates technologies from different domains.
- Updated
- Gregor Ferguson