Seasprite is without a mandate: It was for a ship that doesnt exist. It has no place in the ADF, fills no role, doesnt contribute to the ADF\'s strategic doctrine and fills no gap in our capability. It should never have been bought. Unfortunately, our government thinks there is political loss in admiting a mistake. So now the ADF is burdened with this system.
The Collins class has been a success. Australian projection is based upon our ability to control the air-sea gap, and the Collins class is an essential component of that. But even though it was developed in Australia, most of it was really just integrating foreign technology. Not actually doing the R&D in Australia.
The military is absolutely the best place to do R&D. They seek cutting edge technology, heavily predicated in communications and integration. Not only does the R&D have to be done, it has to be implemented and applied to a real world project. The military is the best place for Australian scientists and engineers to seek ongoing, sustained investment, that wont dry up after a couple of years.
Disruptive technologies come from these types of investment. It will also enable Australia to make systems that meet Australia\'s strategic needs. Not Americas. Increasing military investment, and R&D investment in indiginous solutions is absolutely the right thing to do.
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