The Australian Government has established the nation's first Defence Research Centre, bringing together Defence, industry, universities and research organisations to accelerate research and technology development for national security.
“The Defence Research Centre program is a significant step in strengthening Australia's sovereign research and innovation capability," a Defence spokesperson stated.
“By bringing together Defence, universities, research organisations and industry, we are creating a new national partnership model to help solve some of Defence's most complex capability challenges."
Announced as a key initiative under the 2024 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy, Defence Research Centres are a new national partnership model designed to build sovereign research capability and accelerate collaboration across Australia's research, industry and Defence sectors.
“Australia has world-class researchers and innovators, and these centres will help connect that expertise with Defence priorities and accelerate the translation of Australian research into real-world capability outcomes," a Defence spokesperson indicated.
The centres will operate in secure research environments, helping translate Australian research into practical Defence outcomes while growing the nation's research and development base and strengthening Australia's sovereign defence innovation ecosystem.
A competitive process will now commence to select the lead partner responsible for establishing and operating the inaugural Defence Research Centre. The process will bring together partners from across Australia's research, industry and innovation sectors and identify projects aligned with Defence priorities.
The Operational Energy Transitions Defence Research Centre is the first of two Defence Research Centres planned for 2025-26.