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Australia's recently released Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) is reshaping the way businesses can access and participate in substantial defence contracts. This ambitious plan prioritises the development of a strong sovereign defence industrial base, providing opportunities for Australian businesses of all sizes. AIC Connect is here to be your guide through this landscape, so let's break down what the DIDS could mean for you and your business.
Key Priorities of the DIDS
Grants and Funding Opportunities: As part of the DIDS, there will be an increase in grants and financial incentives for defence industry participants. The federal government has committed an initial sum of $183.8 million to support small and medium-sized businesses, just like yours, to break into the defence supply chain or grow your defence customer base.
Simplified Procurement: The DIDS aims to streamline the currently complex procurement processes, opening doors for more businesses to compete for and win defence contracts. This initiative will take significant time to implement, and will be a boon for the smaller players in the industry; but don't make the mistake of thinking the process will end up being relatively simple - Defence will still require high levels of rigour for their sophisticated procurement needs.
Skilled Workforce Development: Expect an increased focus on training and developing a highly skilled Australian workforce in vital defence industry sectors. This aligns with AIC Connect's mission to help our members up-skill to meet these demands. Ongoing grants in for skilling in defence industry have been available for many years, and will continue long into the future.
International Competitiveness: The DIDS prioritises making Australian defence suppliers internationally competitive, meaning new pathways for exporting your products and expertise. Businesses that have a pathway to export markets are of particular interest to Defence customers, as it supports a level of business resilience giving defence and defence primes peace of mind that their suppliers will be in business for a long time to come.
Increased Security Posture: The security and resilience of the Australian defence industry are paramount. The DIDS emphasises measures to protect the intellectual property and capabilities developed within our industry. This will mean an increased focus on cybersecurity within the supply chain - with certifications like CMMC likely to become highly valuable if not eventually mandated.
Supporting Critical Australian Businesses: Where it aligns with national strategic goals, the DIDS can mandate the use of key Australian businesses in major defence projects, ensuring that vital capabilities stay onshore. This focus on Australian Industry Capability (where we derive the AIC in our name from) means bigger and better opportunities for sovereign Australian businesses delivering high quality products and services.
How AIC Connect Helps You Navigate the DIDS initiatives for Defence Industry success
Grant Information: We stay ahead of the latest grant announcements and can support you every step of the way to apply for, win and implement grant programs.
Procurement De-mystification: We cut through the jargon and offer guidance and support on tendering and bidding on defence contracts. We integrate with your team and work with you every step of the way from before RFP to post bid submission.
Skill Development Resources: We provide industry insights and connections to training opportunities to keep your team's skills on the cutting edge. We also help by directly providing defence environment familiarisation training - an essential body of knowledge for succeeding in the defence industry.
Networking and Partnerships: We facilitate collaboration and partnerships with other businesses, enabling you to tackle larger projects. This comes in the form of introductions to prime contractors, as well as opportunities to collaborate and co-develop solutions with other SMEs in the defence industry.
The Takeaway
The Defence Industry Development Strategy is a game-changer, and AIC Connect is here to position you as a key player in this exciting new era.
Unlock your defence industry potential - book a free consultation: https://www.aicconnect.com.au/booking-calendar/free-consultation
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