The Australian Industry & Defence Network Incorporated (AIDN) has released the first two of a planned series of policy positions as part of its strategy to assist the implementation of the Defence and Industry Policy Statement and foster a strong partnership with the Centre for Defence Industry Capability.

The two policy areas covered in the release are: Sovereign Industrial Capability (SIC) and the related Sovereign Industrial Capability Assessment Framework (SICAF) as well as Innovation.

We will provide ongoing assistance to Defence in SICAF development

With its State and Territory Chapters and a combined membership of around 750 comprising mostly SMEs, National President Alan Rankins said AIDN is ideally placed to assist Government in the formulation and development of the SICAF along with the CDIC.

“We will provide ongoing assistance to Defence in SICAF development; we're proposing a framework that includes a 3-Horizon approach within Capability Streams and has provision for SME Set-asides where it would be advantageous to do so.”

The organisation also sees a role for itself in innovation policy and implementation, viewing both as requiring a longer-term strategic approach in order to reach full maturity.

“It is vital that Defence and Industry achieve and maintain the step change in Defence approach required to ensure ‘Industry as a FIC’ becomes a reality and sustainable, particularly for SMEs,” Rankin said.