AUKUS and ASCA
With our international perspective, Para Bellum Solutions is well-positioned to support the focus on innovation and speed to delivery through AUKUS and the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) in Defence.
Our people are qualified and highly skilled, with extensive experience working in senior operational roles in government, industry and Defence, and all hold current Defence Security Clearances.
A major milestone for Pillar One of the AUKUS agreement was achieved in mid-December 2023 with the United States’ Congress authorising the transfer of three Virginia Class submarines, through the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The NDAA will establish a national exemption for Australia and the United Kingdom from US defence export control licensing and adds Australia and the United Kingdom to the US Defense Production Act.
Previously, the requirements of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) prevented such a transfer, so this legislation represents a crucial step towards ensuring there is no gap in Australia’s critical submarine capability until delivery of the Australian-built SSN-AUKUS from the early 2040s.
There will be two in-service boats and one off the production line, and Australia can seek congressional approval to purchase up to two additional Virginia Class submarines.
Under Pillar Two, the three nations are accelerating and deepening the development and delivery of advanced military capabilities.
In addition to activities in the Maritime domain, collaboration is ramping up in the spheres of quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and cyber security.
Read the joint media statement from 2 December 2023: AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting Joint Statement | Defence Ministers
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) has announced three key programs through which it aims to accelerate the transition of innovation into capability solutions that are acquired by Defence for the ADF:
Missions
Innovation Incubation
Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT)
You can watch a recording of one of the ASCA Forums held in capital cities across Australia via the ASCA website: Forums | Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (asca.gov.au)
ASCA missions respond to strategically directed Defence priorities that align with Defence policy and strategy, and are endorsed by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF). Missions will be time limited, with clear performance targets and off-ramps where the technology ceases to be viable or affordable if Defence's needs change.
The first Mission set was released in November 2023, comprising two problem statements:
Penetrate and degrade advanced integrated air defence systems to enable long-range strike.
Improve the processing and synthesis of large amounts of intelligence data.
Respondents to the Approach to Market (ATM) released in December 2023 can address one or both problem statements. There will be two phases of the Mission:
Phase 1 (Co-Design) will require the successful respondents to design, in collaboration with Defence key stakeholders, the delivery methodology and approach to execute and implement a solution to a Problem Statement. During this phase, the proposed solution will be refined. This phase will run for eight weeks. An evaluation of the Co-Design activity will be undertaken, and successful respondents may be invited to participate in Phase 2.
Phase 2 (Delivery) will consist of delivering the refined proposed solution (from Phase 1). This phase will run for up to three years.
