Navantia Australia has signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to advance innovation, science, and technology research in support of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) surface fleet.
“This SPA allows Navantia Australia to further contribute to Defence's innovation agenda by enhancing our capability through both innovative and highly sought after research and development” Navantia Australia Managing Director, Israel Lozano, said.
A signing ceremony was held at Navantia Australia’s Sydney Corporate, Engineering, and Sustainment Office, attended by Ninh Duong, Chief of Air and Maritime Division, representing DSTG. Navantia Australia representatives included Lozano, Ross, Chief Technology Officer Yannatos, Cindy Slaven Chief Business Development, Marketing & Communications Officer, Nirman Jayarathne, Innovation Lead – Engineering/Autonomous Systems, and Lisa Rodgers, Innovation Project Manager.
“The SPA facilitates long-term bilateral R&D relationships that allow Navantia Australia to develop technologies and solutions for more advanced and efficient naval platforms, closely alongside our partners in academia," Lozano stated.
This SPA has established a collaborative research program centred around engagements with government, industry, and academic stakeholders in support of scientific research and technological innovations. It is hoped that this research and development will encourage and set a precedent for defence industry companies such as Navantia Australia to integrate emerging digital technologies into ship ecosystems for improved decision making and smart sustainment activities.
The signing ceremony was followed by a tour of the Maritime Institute of Technology (Marintec) facility. Marintec, Navantia Australia’s joint institute with the University of Technology, Sydney, is a technology-driven digital innovation hub, focussed on research and development in the data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation spaces. Navantia Australia has previously cooperated with academia to develop project-driven technologies.
DSTG is the Australian government's agency that is responsible for applying science and technology to safeguard Australia and its national interests. DSTG accesses and leverages science, technology, knowledge and innovation, through collaboration with industry, academia and international agencies.