The Australian Government has released the 2024 Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap, outlining the strategic direction for delivering advanced information and communications technologies (ICT) in support of Australia’s national interests.
This comprehensive plan is a response to the critical role ICT plays in modern warfighting capabilities, as highlighted by the Defence Strategic Review.
The newly released Strategy and Roadmap emphasise the importance of a robust digital infrastructure in ensuring Australia’s preparedness for evolving strategic challenges.
It lays out three core priorities to elevate the digital capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS).
The first priority focuses on expanding and uplifting the ADF and APS to become a best-in-class workforce, reducing reliance on external contractors.
The second priority aims to leverage the power of leading global platforms to enhance Defence operations.
The third priority underscores the need for supply chain resilience, with a focus on building strong partnerships to deliver sovereign technologies and capabilities.
In line with these priorities, Defence will collaborate closely with industry and academia to implement the outlined agenda.
The Roadmap identifies several ICT capabilities that require urgent attention, including artificial intelligence (AI), hyperscalers, and productivity platforms.
The Government’s substantial investments in enterprise data, digital platforms, and networks are intended to strengthen security, resilience, and interoperability while enhancing the ability to share data efficiently and at scale.
These priority ICT capabilities are part of a broader investment plan, with the Government committing between $8.5 billion and $11 billion over the next decade through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program.
This funding is aimed at bolstering Defence’s digital backbone, ensuring that Australia’s Defence Force is well-equipped to meet the demands of the digital age.
The full Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap is available for review here.
