Defence scientists ready for China's 'grey' warfighting

Opening an elite defence conference in Canberra, Mr Marles said science was an important part of ensuring regional and national security, along with operating together and joint exercises with allies.

"So many systems are comprehending the whole the whole battle space," he told the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) summit on Tuesday.

Taking down drones by using a laser that can burn through steel and new navigation systems that can step in when GPS has been denied are among the weapons being developed under an accelerator program.

"It is trying to stimulate the industrial scientific base of our nation, to see new technologies evolve and get them into service as quickly as possible," he said.

Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said Bushmaster troop carriers were winning admirers on the battlefields of Ukraine, made in Bendigo by Thales Australia.

Australian Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to great effect. (Andrew Taylor/AAP PHOTOS)

"But we need to do more together to protect Australia into an increasingly uncertain future," Prof Monro said.

The long-range, uncrewed Ghost Shark submarine, 3D-printed rocket boosters and the call to industry on Monday to manufacture rocket motors were "just the tip of the iceberg", she told the summit.

Quantum navigation systems developed by the University of Adelaide and the University of Queensland with defence were outperforming GPS in sea trials, while Adelaide-based Fleetspace has Australia's first low-earth orbit satellite, she said.

But technology should not take 10 years to develop and nor should it be restricted by commercial imperatives, former chief of the defence force Air Force Marshal Angus Houston said.

Angus Houston is concerned about China's assertion of sovereignty in the South China Sea. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)

"It's absolutely essential that we put competition aside for the greater good," Sir Angus said.

China's build up was being done with "no transparency and absolutely no assurance", he warned.

"We also see China's assertion of sovereignty in the South China Sea with coercion, harassment and grey zone tactics evident on a frequent basis," Sir Angus said.

So-called "grey zone" confrontations, in the murky area between peace and war, can include espionage, cyber attacks and election interference.

Long-range surveillance drones monitor naval movements, people smugglers and illegal fishers. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

He said Pillar 2 of AUKUS was working on advanced cyber technologies, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and undersea warfare.

The ADF has become a force juggling major risks as the Australian government follows a regional balancing strategy as well as a military strategy of denial, Sir Angus said.

It will become integrated in a way that no other large force in the world has done.

"I don't think we should forget the need to get the minimum viable capability into the hands of the warfighter as quickly as possible."

A review in 2023 identified that Australia faced its most complex and challenging strategic environment since World War II, and was followed by a blueprint in 2024 to create an integrated force.

It also sparked the push to get an edge over enemies by accelerating defence IS&T and sharing breakthroughs with allies.

The new defence science strategy, Accelerating Asymmetric Advantage Strategy, builds on technical and other input from Australia's Five Eyes partners.