DSTO and Thales Australia Form New Strategic Alliance

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and Thales Australia have signed a strategic alliance to collaborate on a number of research programs aimed at strengthening Defence capability.

The new alliance focuses on research and development of armaments, underwater systems and land systems.

“Defence achieves a strategic technology advantage when DSTO capabilities are complemented by partnerships with industry,” said Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinsky.

He said DSTO and Thales had a long history of research collaboration that has led to better protection for Bushmaster vehicles, the development of innovative minesweeping systems and next-generation fibre optic towed arrays for tracking maritime vessels.

“We now have an opportunity to work more closely in new areas of capability that are of critical importance to Defence, such as the Future Submarine and land fighting vehicle systems,” Dr Zelinsky said.

Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins welcomed the alliance, saying better results can be achieved when partnerships are structured for long-term strategic relationships rather than one-off projects.

“This alliance provides a framework that enables us to get involved early in DSTO’s technology development process, and is the foundation for a new wave of innovation aimed at delivering capability into the hands of the Australian Defence Force.

“A short term opportunity is to progress the Fibre Laser Sensor, which we have developed with DSTO for a number of years. This is a breakthrough undersea sensing technology that could add significant capability to the future submarine force,” Mr Jenkins said.