A new approach to defence industrial policy

Published on January 19, 2024



When policymakers discuss the AUKUS partnership, they like to focus on the flashy bits: nuclear submarines, hypersonic missiles, artificial intelligence. Politicians of all stripes can rarely resist the temptation. But beneath the surface are a host of enablers that would be even more powerful in strengthening Australia’s national security posture over the long term.

The probability of prosaic nuts and bolts receiving the attention they deserve may be low. With release of a first-of-its-kind US defence industrial strategy and an update to Australia’s seven-year-old defence industrial capability plan expected soon, the time has never been better. It’s taken many centuries since the words for want of nail a shoe was lost were penned, but military minds are finally understanding the reality that lacking a handful of mundane parts can slow the deployment of the most cutting-edge piece of technology.

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