NSW builds defence industry capability

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The NSW government has formalised plans to create a central coordination body, Defence NSW, to boost collaboration across government, industry and higher education.

The NSW government has launched a new entity, Defence NSW, to over-see innovative programs that bring together government, industry and higher education. 

This collaboration will increase opportunities for innovation, commercialisation and research within defence and the defence industry, according to industry minister, Niall Blair.

He said the state’s defence strategy will provide a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to prioritise the defence sector. He noted that the defence sector is a key driver of growth and innovation across industry, especially in regional NSW.

Defence NSW will be located in Western Sydney. This body will provide a whole-of-government approach to prioritising the defence sector for the state.

The NSW administration is working closely with federal counterparts, while leveraging the commonwealth’s $195 billion investment in defence programs, running over 10 years.

The NSW defence roadmap is outlined in the “NSW Government Defence and Industry Strategy.”

This strategy notes that NSW is a recognised leader for core platforms and technologies. These include advanced manufacturing, systems integration, Cybersecurity, aerospace, as well as information and communication technology.

Among the future plans, NSW will build on its strengths in Cybersecurity and space programs. This promotes collaboration between experts in Sydney and the Capital Region, and ACT industry.

The state’s areas of strength include the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (University of Sydney), the Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (University of NSW), and the Centre for Autonomous Systems (University of Technology).

Government partners include the CSIRO and other departments and agencies.

Future collaboration will open up industry opportunities. These include solutions for acoustic technologies, complex systems integration, cyber security, intelligence, electronic warfare, and space technologies.

Presently, NSW is home to over 80 defence bases and facilities. This is more than any other state. Annually, defence invests $5.5 billion in its operational expenditure.

Defence and the industry that supports it currently directly employ over 26,500 people in NSW.

The state government sees defence investment as a key driver for employment and economic growth, especially in the regional areas.