Space, cyber and collaboration took centre stage at the Australian Defence Force Academy on July 10 as more than 450 people gathered for the Joint Capabilities Group Space and Cyber Domain Industry Forum.
The event brought Defence, industry and academia together to explore the partnerships, innovation and capability needed to meet future challenges.
The forum provided industry with insights into Defence's future capability priorities, helping to align innovation, investment and workforce development efforts with the objectives of the National Defence Strategy 2026.
In his opening address to the forum, Chief of Joint Capabilities Group Air Marshal Glen Braz said success depended on partnership, transparency where it can be achieved, and a shared understanding of the environment being operated in.
"Industry brings innovation, agility, expertise and capacity. Defence brings operational understanding, strategic direction and mission focus. Together, we can develop capabilities that neither of us could achieve independently," Air Marshal Braz said.
Through a series of presentations and panel discussions, senior Defence leaders shared insights into Defence's priorities, challenges and future requirements across both domains, emphasising the critical role collective effort plays in delivering integrated capability effects in an increasingly complex strategic environment.
'Adversaries are embedding in networks not to take something out, but to leave something behind - access they can activate at a time of their choosing.'
During discussions on future space capabilities, presenters such as Commander Space Command Major General Greg Novak highlighted both the opportunities and challenges associated with delivering resilient capabilities.
"Space operations demand resilience, sovereign national capabilities and a strong ADF reputation, which is strengthened when industry's effects and expertise are incorporated," Major General Novak said.
The importance of collaboration was also a key theme throughout the cyber program, where presenters explored capability delivery, innovation and the partnerships required in an increasingly contested cyber domain.
During his cyber address, Chief Information Security Officer Tim Spiteri emphasised the evolving threat environment.
"Adversaries are embedding in networks not to take something out, but to leave something behind - access they can activate at a time of their choosing," he said.
The forum also highlighted emerging opportunities for Australian industry to contribute to Defence capability outcomes, with discussions centred on the industrial support required to develop, sustain and enhance warfighting advantages for the space and cyber domains.
The forum reinforced Defence's commitment to working closely with industry and academia to develop the capabilities, workforce and innovation needed to meet Australia's future security challenges.
