AUSTRALIAN+NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DIRECTORY 2025 www.defence.directory 17 SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY EDITORIALS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBAL EXPORT POTENTIAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN UAS INDUSTRY The uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry in Australia is on the cusp of a significant expansion, with the potential for significant global export success. The country’s defence sector has been a motivated driver of the UAS industry, investing over $1 billion in uncrewed technologies since the First Principles Review of 2015 directed the establishment of the Defence Innovation Hub (in 2017). However, the potential of the UAS industry extends beyond defence, with significant opportunities in civil applications, from agriculture and mining to emergency services and environmental management. It is a truly dual-use technology sector. The defence sector’s investment in developing capabilities like Ghost Bat and Ghost Shark is a testament to Australia’s commitment to the UAS industry. These systems offer the opportunity to generate affordable mass, increase range and lethality, and provide a sustained effect that is adaptable and much lower cost than their crewed team-mates. They can perform dangerous or high-risk missions, freeing up human personnel for more complex tasks. The development of autonomous systems is not just about acquiring new technology; it’s also about building endurance and mass, increasing the threat to adversaries, and creating disruptive and asymmetric opportunities. This is evident in the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy within the AUKUS Pillar 2 initiatives, which also include Undersea Warfare, Quantum, Cyber, Hypersonics, Electronic Warfare, Innovation and Information Sharing. It is worthy of noting that all these efforts converge on the technology set that is Autonomous Systems, and as such it is absolutely justified that Autonomous Systems have been identified as a Sovereign Development Industrial Priority within the Defence Industrial Development Strategy. However, the UAS industry is not just about military applications. There are significant opportunities for civil applications. For instance, in agriculture, UAS can be used for crop monitoring, irrigation management, and pest control. In mining, they can be used for surveying, mapping, and monitoring. In emergency services, they can be used for search and rescue operations, disaster management, and emergency response. In environmental management, they can be used for wildlife monitoring, habitat mapping, and environmental monitoring. To capitalise on these opportunities, Australia needs to continue to develop a vibrant dual-use UAS industry. This requires a concerted effort from government, industry, and academia. The government can provide support through policy measures, investment, and regulatory frameworks. Industry can contribute through innovation, investment, and strategic partnerships. Academia can contribute through research, development, and talent development. The government has already taken some steps in this direction. The Defence Innovation Hub, for instance, has provided funding for the development of UAS technologies. The defence innovation eco-system has invested more than $100 million in UAS and adjacent technologies since 2017. The government has also established the Australian Defence Export Office to help Australian defence companies export their products and services. Industry has also been active in this area. Companies like Sypaq, InnovAero, DefendTex, Skyborne Technology, AMSL, and others are developing UAS technologies for various applications. These companies are not just focusing on the technology; they are also developing the ecosystem required for the UAS industry to thrive. This includes rearing a successful industry group in the Australian Association of Uncrewed Systems, and the establishment of standards and regulations. Academia is also playing its part. Universities and research institutions are conducting research in areas like autonomous navigation, position, timing, and autonomous teaming behaviours. They are also developing talent through education and training programs. However, despite the progress, there are still challenges to overcome. The integration of autonomous systems into the current Australian Defence Force (ADF) force structure requires these systems to be scalable, practical, and dependable, and capable of being rapidly fielded and integrated. This requires wider Australian defence industry to work with the autonomous systems experts. Enabling these efforts, Defence has identified that it wants to leverage Industry 4.0 initiatives and use digital engineering as a means of rapidly evolving these disruptive and asymmetric autonomous capabilities. This includes establishing digital twins that support the development, test and evaluation, simulation and accreditation of these autonomous capabilities. Defence industry has also identified the use of digital twins to support cost-effective manufacture and production. It’s exciting times. It’s no secret, given by the significant growth in use of military robotics, that the future prospects for the Australian UAS industry are promising. The global UAS market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by increasing demand from the military sector in particular. Australia, with its strong defence sector, innovative industry, and world-class research institutions, is well-positioned to capitalise on this growth. The integration of autonomous systems in the defence sector is a complex but exciting endeavour. It’s been 20 years in the making and has at least another decade, maybe two, to run. Australia, with its strong pedigree in UAS development, rich history of defence innovation and significant investment in this area, is well-positioned to lead this revolution. To realise these opportunities, Australia needs to continue to develop it’s vibrant UAS industry. This requires a concerted effort from government, Defence, industry, and academia. With the right approach and strategic partnerships, Australian UAS companies will continue to succeed in the global market, providing significant benefits for the Australian economy and society. WGCDR Keirin Joyce Defence Analyst (Air Force Fellow) Australian Strategic Policy Institute
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