$10 million investment in Defence artificial intelligence

Release details

Release type

Related ministers and contacts


The Hon Melissa Price MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for Science and Technology


Media contacts

Ben Spencer (Minister Price’s office): +61 412 754 310
Charlotte Butler (Minister Price’s office): +61 406 338 521
Defence Media: media@defence.gov.au

Release content

23 November 2020

The Morrison Government is making a $10 million investment in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to give Australia an edge across all of Defence’s domains.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced the new initiative which will support Australian industry to develop new AI applications across Defence’s Information and Cyber, Maritime, Air, Space, and Land domains.  

Minister Price said the initiative was part of a $32 million boost to Australian industry over the next two years through the Defence Innovation Hub, as part of the Government’s Defence COVID-19 economic recovery package.

“AI is a critical enabling technology which can deliver a decisive Defence advantage,” Minister Price said.

“This initiative provides new opportunities for Australia’s AI sector to partner with Defence.

“Genuine partnerships between Defence and Australian industry allows us to develop globally competitive AI capabilities and builds a national defence industry base.

“Through this initiative, we are building a strong Australian defence industry with an ability to design and integrate AI technology into Defence’s force structure.”

The Defence Innovation Hub will partner with the Defence AI Centre to set two challenges to industry:

  • using Intelligence Mission data to improve situational awareness in the battlefield, and
  • using intelligent Virtual Reality to enhance simulation, modelling and training.

Proposals to these challenges can be submitted until 11 February 2021. For more information please visit: www.innovationhub.defence.gov.au

Other related releases