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Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy is set to provide a major update on a series of defence capability acquisition programs, stressing the importance of Australia’s defence industrial base as the regional outlook continues to deteriorate.
Speaking at the Queensland Media Club on Tuesday, 19 August, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy is expected to provide an update on a range of issues pivotal to Australia’s defence industrial base and growing domestic and export-based supply chain opportunities.
As part of this address, Defence Connect can reveal that the minister is expected to make a major announcement regarding counter-drone investment as part of LAND 156 program, which aims to rapidly procure and deploy counter-small uncrewed aerial systems – essentially a layered, scalable system to detect, track, identify and neutralise small hostile drones (up to ~24 kilograms or NATO Classes 1–2).
Minister Conroy is expected to tell the audience, “This project is both a benchmark and a blueprint for how we will deliver speed to capability in the future. And SMEs are at the heart of this project.”
“It’s why we have accelerated the acquisition of an appropriate mix of drone and counter-drone capabilities and are continuing to examine new autonomous capabilities,” he will say.
“Over the next 10 years, we will invest more than $10 billion on the development and introduction of a range of cutting-edge airborne, surface and submarine drone systems. This funding will strengthen the sovereign defence industry and drive innovation.”
In addition to this, the minister is expected to also provide an update on AUKUS Pillar 2 and progress of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft project. He will speak about the AUKUS export licence-free environment and opportunities for Australian defence industry players.
“Australia is a lot further down the road of developing this technology than many people realise,” the minister will say of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat program.
Australia’s leading role in the development of a viable, globally competitive “loyal wingman” in the MQ-28A Ghost Bat positions Australia and Australian defence industrial base well within critical global supply chains, particularly under the AUKUS framework, stressing the growing importance of Queensland’s defence industry.
In addition to this, the minister will provide an update on testing and plans for the program in the weeks ahead, and its relevance to the defence industry supply chain.
The minister will deliver remarks and participate in a Q&A session. Further details about the event are available here.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
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