By Darian Macey, December 13 2024
The ADM Sustainment Summit, held in Canberra on December 10, 2024, provided a platform for government and industry leaders to discuss strategies for maintaining and enhancing Australia’s defence capability.
The event centred on collaboration as a vital element of effective sustainment, with key themes including:
- Developing resilient, long-term sustainment strategies in a rapidly evolving landscape
- Leveraging technology and innovation to enhance operations
- Ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficiency
- Addressing workforce challenges and skills shortages
The summit featured keynote speeches, case studies, and panel discussions that examined critical aspects of defence sustainment. Key highlights included:
Data Analytics in Sustainment
Ben Bird, Director of Analytical Services at Brownstone, presented a case study on the SMART Project, which has achieved significant cost and workforce savings for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Bird stressed the importance of cultural readiness, user-centric design, and high-quality data in the success of analytics initiatives.
Air Power Sustainment
Air Vice-Marshal Benjamin Sleeman, Head of Air Force Capability, discussed the challenges and opportunities in sustaining modern air power. He underscored the transformative role of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and robotics in enabling proactive maintenance. Sleeman also emphasised the need for a future-ready workforce and partnerships with industry and academia.
Additive Manufacturing
Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D, highlighted the impact of additive manufacturing (3D printing) on defence sustainment. He demonstrated how on-demand production of spare parts can reduce supply chain dependencies and enable rapid responses. Kennedy also addressed the importance of certification and compliance for 3D-printed components in defence applications.
Nuclear Submarine Sustainment
Chris Saint, Senior Engineering Manager at Babcock, shared insights on the complex requirements of sustaining the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet. Saint highlighted the importance of life-cycle management, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and technological advancements. He also called for greater collaboration and knowledge sharing between allies, including the US and Australia.
Workforce Development
A dedicated session explored strategies for building a future-ready sustainment workforce. Jamie Gibbs, Chief Operations and Engineering Officer at Navantia, emphasised the growing demand for engineers in maritime sustainment. The panel stressed the importance of upskilling and attracting domestic talent to engineering careers.
Collaboration for Success
Panel discussions throughout the summit reinforced the need for closer ties between government, industry, and academia. Stakeholders highlighted the role of collaboration in driving innovation, improving outcomes, and ensuring the Australian Defence Force (ADF) remains operationally ready.
The ADM Sustainment Summit brought together key players in Australia’s defence sector to address the evolving challenges of sustainment. It underscored the critical roles of technology, workforce development, and collaboration in ensuring the ADF’s capability and readiness for the future.
Author: Darian Macey
Darian is a former Engineering Officer with the RAE with tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Project Management. He is a leading practitioner within Australia's NSI sector with previous employment in Government, project management and building contractor organisations.
