Government earmarks $3.4b for defence tech research

The government will put $3.4 billion over the next decade into creating the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator to leverage Australian innovation and feed new technology into the defence force.

The six priority areas are listed as: hypersonics, directed energy, trusted autonomy, quantum technology, information warfare and long-range fire capability.

The vice chief of the defence force, chief defence scientist, deputy secretary and Capability Acquisitions and Sustainability Group will head up the body.

It will be operating by July 1 and undergo a phased start up over the first 18 months, replacing the Defence Innovation Hub and Next Generation Technologies Fund.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said uncrewed aerial, land and sea systems would be crucial in the future.

He said Australia needed to be able to position itself to be a part of the development of new technology.

"We're trying to get Australian ideas into operation as quickly as possible," he told reporters on Friday.

"We'll be working very closely with our partners overseas as well but the focus is absolutely about getting Australian technology going so that we get that asymmetric capability into the hands of our defence force."

Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro said Australian innovation could also be shipped overseas.

"Where we in Australia have niche leading advantage ... we can play into global supply chains and so we can support Australian industry in being part of those global ecosystems," she said.

Opposition defence industry spokesman Luke Howarth welcomed the announcement but hit out at the government, saying it was simply a photo opportunity.

"The announcement is not new. It may be a new name but it is not new money," he said.

"The Albanese government has described this project as an urgent acceleration but in reality ... has put delivery and decisions into slow motion with no new money, confusing implementation and more reviews."

Australian Associated Press