15 November 2023
In a packed room at the recent Indo-Pacific 2023 International Maritime Exposition, two Defence leaders sat down for a fireside chat about the future of Defence capability in Australia and the critical role of industry.
Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Chris Deeble, and Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG), Jim McDowell, are part of two key groups responsible for managing the delivery of the ADF’s capability requirements.
Throughout their discussion, Mr Deeble and Mr McDowell reiterated that Defence cannot achieve Australia’s military acquisition and sustainment needs alone, and emphasised that industry collaboration is essential for project delivery across the three service domains.
Mr Deeble spoke about the critical role Australian Defence industry plays in the security of the nation by helping to ensure the ADF has the capability it requires, and how the Defence Industry Development Strategy and CASG 2.0 initiatives will shape future industry engagement.
“We are developing more agile procurement and contracting frameworks through the CASG 2.0 reforms that will align with industry priorities set out in the Defence Industry Development Strategy,” Mr Deeble said.
“This is CASG’s overall strategy for the next three years, and with consideration to the current strategic environment, Australian industry is uniquely positioned to excel.
“These initiatives are collectively designed to enable Defence and industry to work together more effectively and efficiently in delivering capability to the Australian Defence Force.”
Aligning with Indo-Pacific 2023’s theme of ‘Fleet 2035: Sea Power and the Future of Maritime Warfare’, Mr McDowell discussed the Australian Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and the future of an enduring strategic surface fleet for Navy.
“In line with government direction from the Defence Strategic Review, we are committed to building sovereign capability through continuous naval shipbuilding and industry partnership to deliver cutting-edge technologies and new capabilities Navy need to do their job,” Mr McDowell said.
“We must continue to build strong relationships with industry to reach alignment on expectations, requirements and resources for the naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise to advance capability.”
With more than 800 Defence industry organisations present at the conference, this year’s Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition was the biggest to date, presenting a wide range of opportunities for Australian industry in maritime warfare.
The pair closed out the session by highlighting the importance of effective collaboration with industry to deliver future capability.
“There is no more important time as now. We need the courage, respect and trust to have frank and fearless conversations, to be open and transparent, and to provide the support required to make the partnership not only work but flourish,” Mr Deeble said.
To read more on the recent Indo-Pacific 2023 exposition, click here.
