Defence grows EW talent pipeline

The Department of Defence has partnered with Flinders University and a South Australian defence industry company, DECW T&E, to establish a Centre of Expertise for Electronic Warfare.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Defence and Flinders University would co-fund a Defence Science Partnership (DSP) worth $5 million over five years.

They have joined DEWC T&E to establish a Professional Electronic Warfare Training, Education and Research (PEWTER) Memorandum of Understanding.

The $5 million in funding will see a Centre of Expertise for Electronic Warfare established, with Defence Scientist Professor Sam Drake appointed as the inaugural Flinders University Academic Chair of Electromagnetic Systems and Security.

“Having a skilled Electronic Warfare workforce comprising both practitioners and researchers across Defence, academia and industry is key to ensuring future defence capabilities are fit-for-purpose and future proofed,” said Minister Price. “Talent acquisition and retention are critical to delivering an effective and enduring Electronic Warfare workforce across Defence. The Morrison Government, Flinders University and DEWC T&E recognise the urgent need for increased quantity and quality of personnel with the skills and background to meet our national strategic needs in Electronic Warfare,” she added.

Professor Drake and his team will establish EW-focused education and research programs. They will also facilitate professional Electronic Warfare training and research to stimulate and sustain workforce development.