The military has always relied on new technology to stay ahead of their adversaries – but how do you bridge the gap between an open scientific culture, and the secrets required of a security force?
According to Professor Tanya Monro, Australia’s Chief Defense Expert and head of the government’s Defense Science and Technology Group, it is possible and important to talk about defense science in public – as long as you can choose the information you share carefully.
“I think sometimes, Australian culture doesn’t realize how amazing the things scientists are doing for our community,” says Monro. Cosmos ahead of the Defense Science conference in Canberra.
He says: “I think we have a tendency to see ourselves as small and lacking in funds.
Australian inventions, such as flight black boxes and counter-IED devices, have become integral parts of the armed forces. And defense receives the second largest share of Australian government spending each year.
Scientists and defense workers are meeting in Canberra today for the 2024 Australian Defense Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) conference.
“It’s going to be a well-balanced mix of academia, industry, government, defense and international collaborations all together in one melting pot, which is great,” says Monro.
“We are stronger when we bring those different communities together.”
The theme of the conference is “asymmetric security.”
Monro explains: “An asymmetric ability is anything you can use against an opponent that doesn’t balance the number of their decisions – so you’re using something that can’t be countered.
He cites Ukraine’s use of cheap drones against expensive Russian equipment as an example.
“For a country like Australia, we have huge areas to protect but we have a modest population, so we’re not going to do well if we’re just trying to compete,” he says. he says.
“So we need to be smart.”
This can take many forms, such as technological advantages or information uncertainties, but it’s not just about getting smart technology.
“In fact I would argue that one of the biggest asymmetries that we can benefit from is with our partners, because the act of like-minded countries working together in cooperation is one of the most powerful ways to deny the opponent their plans,” says Monro.
But new technology is an important part of the strategy, and a central theme of ADSTAR.
In its National Defense Strategy 2024, the federal government has outlined 6 science and technology priorities: hypersonics, directed energy, reliable autonomy, quantum technology, information warfare and real-time fire. long.
“They all have certain features in common, one of which is the potential for asymmetric opportunity. Each is an area where we have excellence in our society,” says Monro.
The applications of this technology can range from highly accurate sensors based on quantum technology, to powerful lasers that can destroy targets from a distance. And many other things that are not public knowledge.
“Of course, the very act of talking about them in public is often a missed opportunity,” says Monro.
Is it difficult to conduct a meeting – or conduct research – in a high-profile environment?
The key, says Monro, is figuring out what information can be shared, and with whom.
“There are still things that have not been defined, and it is very important that we use what Australian universities and industry can do that is in our national interest,” he says.
But there are also ways in which we can involve the public, especially the people who have the credentials, give them brief information about the priorities and challenges of Security in the listed situations, as that when they go out to do their unspecialized work. do so in an informed manner.”
Monro says the ability to share information is “something we have to pay a lot of attention to”.
“Without the openness of scientific discussion and peer review and the like, science is shrinking,” says Monro.
“We have peers who can provide this process of debate and that element of cooperation in a unique environment, especially through our bilateral and multilateral relations with like-minded countries.
“So the same kind of scientific culture exists in the defense world. It looks a little different from a more open, collaborative culture.”
Monro points out that scientists working with private organizations should also prevent some of their work from being published.
“There is certainly room for open discussion and sharing of broad knowledge and scientific progress, but we have to be very willing to understand where that can harm us and where those limits are,’ and make sure people understand how to work within it.”
Conferences like ADSTAR are an important part of connecting research with not only industry, but government, according to Monro.
“The defense industry has no market if Defense doesn’t buy,” he says.
“So no matter how well universities work with the defense industry, they cannot achieve their goals unless they work well with the government.”
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