Australia has announced an updated defence strategy that leans heavily on AI and autonomous systems. Photo: ShutterstockThe federal government has unveiled a 10-year defence innovation blueprint with a focus on rapidly adopting artificial intelligence and quantum computing to give Australia a strategic advantage. Defence Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday morning released the 2026 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy, an update to an innovation strategy released just two years ago. The strategy outlines how the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will "accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions and new technologies for Defence and strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial base”. “This integration underpins the realisation of a crewed-uncrewed integrated force, where humans and autonomous systems deliver complementary strengths and enhanced operational effectiveness,” it said.