Good morning CVELU,

When anyone faces an unlikely challenge the typical response is “You and what army?”

As it turns out Australia has one.

Not just the brave men and women of our Defence Force but an army of the best and brightest standing behind them.

Experts say that Australia has the opportunity to become a world leader in weapons technology — all we need to do is harness it.

Already Western powers are buying high-tech drones and counter-drone lasers made in Canberra, which will be crucial on the battlefields of Ukraine and the wars of the future. 

The ADF has also spent more than $1 billion on the so-called “Ghost Bat” — an unmanned fighter jet of the kind once only found in the domain of Hollywood superhero blockbusters but now being designed and built right here in Australia. 

Meanwhile a Sydney factory is producing “Ghost Shark” submarines, a little-known ninja-style addition to the massive $368 billion AUKUS nuclear submarine project turbocharged by the landmark meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump last week.

All of this — and not least the historic flurry of deals signed off on in Washington — is great news for Australia.

But it requires action.

As said by Dr Andreas Schwer, chief executive at Electro Optic Systems, which is developing the revolutionary Apollo Laser System that can shoot down enemy drones for as little as $1 per shot, this military capability is “desperately needed”.

Not just by us but by our allies across the globe.

And so it is vital that we support it, incentivise it and develop it.

“That’s the game changer effect,” he says.

“Australia’s defence industry has a great chance of becoming a leading nation in global anti-drone warfare.

“I believe that Australia will play a dominant role in all anti-drone warfare into the future.”

Frankly, it is a future that is here now. A future that is within our grasp today.

All we need to do is seize it.

Watch our full Back Australia video here.