Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy discuss defence industry strategy and national goals at the Defence Connect DSR Summit.

The Defence Connect DSR Summit was officially opened at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney earlier today.

The event is a gathering of defence industry and the strategic policy community to discuss and explore the impact of the Albanese government’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR).

The meeting is run with the support of principal partner Investment NSW and engagement partner Pyne & Partners.

It represents a chance for the defence industry and Australia’s strategic policy community to engage directly with the ministers, thought leaders, and department decision makers responsible for delivering the findings of the review.

Acting PM Marles said there is a heightened emphasis on space and cyber, with an overall goal of breaking down the barrier of technology sharing with the US.

“Investment we are making in Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator is the place we see we can really get Australian activity in those technologies and bring something to the table with America,” he said.

“(We’re looking at) reducing those barriers at the highest level with the US and AUKUS is the best platform we have ever had to meet that challenge.

“(Through AUKUS) the UK have an exactly shared aspiration.”

Minister Conroy said Australia must move towards an attitude of embracing risk from Defence, the defence industry, and politicians.

“We need to embrace risk, we will back you and we are shifting to minimum viable capability,” Minister Conroy said.

“(Things like) an Australian hypersonics missile is something we would be interested in progressing, when we have established the industry. It would first be about our sovereign needs and second about potential exports.

“The shift to minimum viable capability will be hugely important for Australian businesses. It’s about developmental projects which give Australian industry a leg in the door.”

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