Aligned in purpose: exporting for Australia’s strategic defence resilience

Australia’s strategic objectives emphasise the critical importance of a resilient sovereign defence industrial base. Achieving this requires a multifaceted approach, including the growth of our defence exports.

Bushmaster armoured vehicle with remote weapon system.

Australia’s strategic objectives, as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and the Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS), emphasise the critical importance of a resilient sovereign defence industrial base. Achieving this resilience requires a multifaceted approach, and one of the key pillars is the growth of our defence exports.

Most Australian defence industry companies are fully aligned with the government and the Department of Defence in recognising that expanding Australia’s presence in global markets is vital to achieving its long-term strategic interests.

Exports are not just an economic driver; they are essential to ensuring stability for, confidence in and continued growth of Australia’s defence industry and military capability. By accessing global markets, Australian companies gain the scale needed to invest in advanced research and development, maintain cutting-edge capabilities, and adapt to evolving technological demands.

This global engagement reinforces the resilience of our sovereign industrial base, ensuring that we can meet both domestic and international defence needs with confidence.

Enabling and supporting an export-oriented defence industry will result in the refinement and enhancement of products that ultimately will benefit the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

These products will be rigorously tested and adjusted through operational feedback from international partners and able to be brought into service if and when the ADF has the requirement. The result is a more reliable, agile, and effective ADF, with Australia benefiting from shared development costs rather than bearing the full burden.

Andreas Schwer.

The facilitation of equipment exports to Ukraine since the February 2022 invasion highlights Australia’s steadfast commitment to global security and a resilient and adaptable defence industry. This collaborative effort underscores the critical importance of maintaining a robust export framework that not only supports our allies but also advances our national interests.

Electro Optic Systems (EOS), as a large defence export company, has an approach to exports that is firmly grounded in adhering to the robust defence export processes set by the Australian government and international regulations. By exporting widely and responsibly, we not only advance Australia’s strategic and economic objectives but also contribute to global stability and security. This alignment with the government’s broader defence strategy ensures that our efforts are consistent with Australia’s role as a responsible global actor.

Ultimately, the alignment between the Australian government, the Department of Defence, and defence industry on the importance of exports is clear. As Australia continues to develop and export world-class defence technologies, Australian defence industry remains focused on strengthening the resilience of Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base. As a collective, we are committed to this shared vision, working alongside our government partners to ensure that our exports contribute to the strategic objectives outlined in the NDS and DIDS, and enhancing Australia’s security and global standing.

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Andreas Schwer is chief executive of Electro Optic Systesm (EOS).