Demonstration build by Matthew Lonsdale. Open-source data only. Not affiliated with or authorised by Thales Australia.
Whitespace
Major capability programmes mapped to recent observable activity, plus an emerging-technology watch. The eleven Integrated Investment Program priorities are reconciled here once the IIP document is parsed.
Seeded programmes by recent activity in the signal corpus, with indicative public value.
Maritime (submarines)
A$268 to 368 billion to the early 2050s (publicly reported)
Maritime (submarines)
Ongoing sustainment and Life of Type Extension (not consolidated publicly)
Maritime (surface combatants)
Up to 11 ships; multiple billions (publicly reported)
Advanced capabilities
Not separately disclosed
Guided weapons and explosive ordnance
Approximately A$16 to 21 billion over the decade (publicly reported)
Aviation
Approximately A$3.5 billion (publicly reported)
Land combat and protected mobility
Order dependent
Defence estate and infrastructure
Not publicly disclosed
Autonomous collaborative platforms
In development; not separately disclosed
Maritime (surface combatants)
Approximately A$45 billion acquisition (publicly reported)
Integrated air and missile defence
Multiple billions (publicly reported)
Space (satellite communications)
Initial award in the A$3 billion class, subsequently restructured (publicly reported)
Land combat and armoured vehicles
Approximately A$5 to 7 billion for 129 vehicles (publicly reported)
Air traffic management
Civil-military program; approximately A$1.2 billion (publicly reported)
ISR and uncrewed systems
Multiple aircraft; over A$1.4 billion committed (publicly reported)
Advanced-capability activity across the AUKUS Pillar II workstreams.
The Australian Government has awarded $7.2 million in contracts to three Australian companies under the ASCA Undersea Navigation Challenge to develop navigation technology for autonomous underwater vehicles. The technology aims to enable AUVs to operate without GPS, enhancing sovereign capability in undersea operations.
The Australian Government has accepted all 19 recommendations from the 2025 independent review of the Woomera Prohibited Area coexistence framework. The review found the framework requires modernisation to support Defence's growing operational capability requirements, including accelerated development and testing of advanced capabilities. Defence will work with stakeholders to implement reforms that balance defence needs with other users.
Observable activity across selected emerging-technology areas.