Australia’s Department of Defence has inked a $17.6 million deal with a Newcastle-based SME to provide the “next evolution” in military computer simulation training software – part of the Army’s Future Ready Training program.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Andrew Hastie, said the training software would be specifically developed for the Australian Army and feature “high-quality data and models and behaviours”.

The tender-winner, Applied Virtual Simulation Pty Ltd, is a small regional Australian business which, under the terms of the contract, would provide the Army’s Common Simulation Software under its Land Simulation Core 2.0 Tranche 1 – a program of works to enhance the Army’s simulation capabilities at the “point of need”.

Hastie said the contract represented part of a broader investment by Defence into simulation technologies for real-world training purposes.

“Soldiers and commanders will now have access to Common Simulation Software through various platforms to train in realistic and relevant settings, contributing to Army’s future-ready posture,” Hastie said.

“The new software will be rolled out across Army’s Land Simulation Network over the next two years and includes military vehicle and weapon platforms.”

Tranche 2 of the project aims to deliver an expanded Land Simulation Network, enabling the Army to virtually connect its geographically dispersed capabilities and training locations.

The Government’s efforts to boost the Army’s simulation training capabilities over the next decade also encompasses various armoured vehicle simulation systems under Land 400, a procurement and support system for infantry fighting vehicles.

Launched in early 2020, the Future Ready Training Program strategy provides a framework to “encourage innovation and flexibility” in the armed forces and simplify future-ready training policies, procedures and practices.