2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

Why now? 31
strategy and budget, delaying important investments in Australia’s future
security and frustrating Australian defence industry.
1.8 Defence’s capability planning will be reformed by implementing
the recommendations of the First Principles Review to establish a
single end-to-end capability development function within Defence.
The capability planning process will be strengthened through the
introduction of strong contestability to ensure that the acquisition of
military capability is aligned with strategy and resources and is delivered
on time and on budget.
SECTION ONE STRATEGY
1.9 In the past, the capability investment planning process has been too
heavily focused on individual military platforms such as ships, aircraft
and vehicles. This has often been at the expense of funding the vital
enabling and integrating systems that allow the ADF to bring capability
elements together to deliver more potent and lethal joint combat effects.
Enabling and integrating systems – such as intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance systems, information and communications
technology, facilities and workforce – ensure we get maximum
performance from the ADF’s military platforms.
1.10 In line with the recommendations of the First Principles Review, this
Defence White Paper and accompanying Integrated Investment Program
provide a single, coherent vision of Defence’s future investment
strategies across the major elements that make up defence capability.
The Integrated Investment Program brings together, for the first time,
the major capability-related investments, including weapons systems
and platforms, facilities such as military bases, information and
communications technology, and workforce. This will ensure that the full
cost of all major defence capability proposals are managed within one
investment portfolio. The fully costed Integrated Investment Program,
coupled with the Government’s long-term funding commitment to
increase Defence spending to two per cent of GDP, will give much needed
clarity and certainty to Defence in implementing this White Paper.
2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER