1 Background

Australia's foreign policy has traditionally emphasized regional geopolitics and security, shifting its geopolitical division from the "Asia Pacific" to the "Indo Pacific". Australia's security interests include maintaining national defense capabilities, maintaining the US Australia alliance, expanding security ties, and strengthening regional security construction. The 2024 Australian National Science Statement integrates national technological advantages, laying the foundation for long-term technology investment and decision-making. Compared to the 2017 version, it focuses more on national defense security and sovereignty capabilities. Sovereign capability involves multiple fields, including national defense, energy, aerospace, etc., and is related to concepts such as sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and resilience, but there is controversy over its definition and measurement standards. The Australian Sovereign Capability Alliance emphasizes that the defense industry is the only industry based on the concept of sovereignty. This article analyzes from a technological perspective how Australia uses technology to enhance self-sufficiency in key areas, reflecting the compromise and transfer of independent capabilities, with a focus on the defense sector. Australia's sovereignty capability is not completely equivalent to the academic concept of 'technological sovereignty', but the core essence is unified. Exploring the relationship between technology and sovereignty, which affects a country's external dependence and internal sovereignty. Australia is facing changes in the geopolitical environment of the Indo Pacific region, and the rise of China is affecting its national strategy. In the global energy transition, China holds a dominant position in the global mineral supply chain, and the United States and its allies have "decoupled" from China. Australia restricts Chinese investment and pursues supply chain diversity, reflecting geopolitical sensitivity considerations. The Australian National Science Statement aims to provide technological support for building sovereignty capabilities and supply chain resilience in key areas, reshaping the balance of the Indo Pacific region. The COVID-19 epidemic has exposed Australia's industrial structure problems, with low industrial capacity, excessive dependence on imports and weak supply chain. During the pandemic, Australia's industrial base was unable to provide essential products, and policy makers focused on sovereign capabilities beyond the defense sector. Australian economic policies have led to inflation, rising living costs, social inequality, and voter dissatisfaction. The ruling party hopes to address non-traditional security threats through technological means, promote industrial growth, create employment, improve living standards, and increase support. The rapid development of global technology and intensified competition require Australia to enhance its technological capabilities to address challenges. Australia has realized the need to strengthen domestic talent development, reduce dependence on imported talent, and make up for the shortage of scientific and technological personnel. The rapid development of high-precision and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing has made cutting-edge technology manufacturing an important factor in enhancing comprehensive national strength. The Australian government believes that the military modernization process in the Indo Pacific region will weaken its military capabilities and affect its military advantages. Australia hopes to update its scientific strategy, support the cultivation of domestic scientific and technological talents and industrial development, and enhance its comprehensive national strength. Australia deepens international security cooperation under the framework of the US UK Australia Trilateral Security Partnership (AUKUS). The Australian National Science Statement proposes to respond to global and regional challenges and opportunities in the context of changing geopolitical situations in the Indo Pacific region. Australia emphasizes the crucial role of technology in the national economy, industry, and regional interests, demonstrates confidence in local scientific and technological talents and resources, increases investment, and promotes overall strategies in the field of science and technology.

Overview of Key Points of the 2024 Australian National Science Declaration

Outlined the government's emphasis on the central role of science in national strategy in the 2024 Australian National Science Declaration. In the statement, the government regards science as a driving force for industrial transformation, aiming to promote economic and industrial transformation through the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, support national defense and security, and achieve environmental protection and climate governance goals. The government has identified the crucial role of science in reshaping the economic and manufacturing foundations, promoting communication and cooperation between scientists and entrepreneurs, task oriented scientific investment, and commercialization of technology. In terms of national defense and security, the government emphasizes the enhancement of key capabilities and national deterrence through the ASCA project and AUKUS cooperation. In terms of climate governance and environmental protection, the government is promoting energy transition and achieving net zero emissions targets. At the same time, the government emphasizes the resilience of the scientific system, supports the development of research institutions and infrastructure, as well as the cultivation of scientific and technological talents, especially the promotion of STEM education and investment in indigenous scientists. In terms of acceptance of technological innovation, the government supports science participation programs, builds public trust in new technologies, and addresses global crises. At the international cooperation level, Australia strengthens its technological cooperation with countries in the Indo Pacific region, maintains regional stability and prosperity, and regards scientific cooperation as an important component of geopolitical relations. Overall, the statement demonstrates the Australian government's comprehensive deployment of technology at the national, institutional, individual, and international cooperation levels to achieve the goal of 'Made in Australia for the Future'.

Building Australia's Sovereignty Capability

The Australian National Science Statement aims to achieve the "Made in Australia Future" plan through technological deployment and enhance national sovereignty capabilities. Australia attaches great importance to talent cultivation and education system construction, integrates indigenous knowledge, and enhances innovation and independent research and development capabilities. The government invests in the participation of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples in technological development, utilizing their local experience and knowledge to promote the localization of technological development. Australia strengthens its network of scientific institutions, promotes resource integration and collaboration, and possesses the ability to research and develop key technologies from the source, achieving self-sufficiency in strategic areas. The government plans to significantly increase defense spending in the next decade, with a particular emphasis on investment in key technology areas to support local technological development and innovation. Australia is committed to building a secure and controllable industrial supply chain, enhancing local industrial capabilities, and ensuring the supply chain security of emerging and critical products. Through a series of projects, Australian technology is being transformed into emerging industries and products, particularly in key areas such as renewable energy, low emission technologies, medical sciences, and defense. Australia also achieves strategic goals at the national level through bilateral and multilateral international cooperation and alliances, expanding its technological advantages through alliances, and promoting more efficient technological innovation through international cooperation and trade. The trilateral security partnership "AUKUS" between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia forms the core framework of the Australian Technology Alliance. Australia intends to enhance collective security and deterrence through joint technology research and development with the United States and the United Kingdom.

4 Transfer and Compromise of Australian Technological Sovereignty

In the process of pursuing technological sovereignty, Australia integrates the powers of various government departments and institutions to ensure the production and operational capabilities required for national security and well-being. However, Australia relies on allies for technological sources and development capabilities, and has failed to achieve self-sufficiency in key areas, ceding some sovereignty. In the fields of national security and critical technologies, Australia and the United States have cooperated in technology, especially military technology and cybersecurity, to enhance their independent research and development capabilities. However, they are constrained in terms of technology jurisdiction and strategic applications. Taking "AUKUS" as an example, Australia hopes to build asymmetric military advantages through a nuclear powered submarine fleet, but the received US submarine technology belongs to the United States and is managed by the US, reflecting Australia's dependence on other countries in key technological fields. In terms of technology usage, Australia's technology strategy implementation has become the result of its own interests compromising in the face of alliance relations, facing the risk of becoming a tool to counter China under the US' Indo Pacific strategy. Australia's technology has become a part of geopolitics. Australia's security policy tends to rely on the US Australia alliance to ensure the support and extended deterrence of superpowers in potential geopolitical conflicts. The alliance provides Australia with a certain sense of security and also constitutes an important cornerstone of its foreign policy and defense strategy. But as the "southern anchor" of the United States in the Indo Pacific region, Australia has to some extent drawn itself into the vortex of international struggle. Australia often aligns with the United States in international affairs, such as deterring and weakening China's maritime power in the Indo Pacific region. These actions have made Australia's security and diplomatic relations with China increasingly complex, and have also sparked debates within Australia. Despite Australia's strong emphasis on independent sovereignty in its technological layout, it has to balance national security and sovereignty in its strategic deployment in the field of defense diplomacy. The alliance with the United States resulted in Australia relinquishing some sovereignty in exchange for technical support and guarantees of regional stability and security. Through close cooperation with the United States and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS framework, Australia is able to share advanced military technology and information, helping it maintain competitiveness in the face of potential threats. The Australian government plans to invest heavily in the "Advanced Strategic Capability Accelerator" project over the next decade, collaborating with businesses and research institutions to transform disruptive technologies into defense capabilities. This project is driven to some extent by the advanced technology built on the second pillar of "AUKUS". By effectively combining advanced technology with the local defense innovation ecosystem, Australia can enhance the development of its key technologies and related industrial chains. If Australia can make reasonable use of the advantages brought by the alliance, appropriate sovereignty transfer will benefit its national interests and may not necessarily damage its sovereignty capacity. If Australia overly relies on alliances, its sovereignty capacity will be weakened. Faced with such concerns, Australia plans to establish closer defense cooperation with other countries in the Indo Pacific region, in order to avoid excessive dependence on a single country and maintain strategic independence as much as possible in the face of potential threats, thus maintaining a balance of regional power relations. The Australian government is also attempting to balance the sovereignty conflicts brought about by alliances in its deployment of technological development. Against the backdrop of the technological revolution reshaping the world and technological strength becoming a key factor in comprehensive national strength, the development and use of technology by countries increasingly reflect their core interests. Australia's layout in the field of technology reflects its balance and choices in national interests and foreign policy. Australia has demonstrated a pragmatic attitude in its technology strategy, while emphasizing its defense and security needs, it is also seeking to enhance its independent capabilities. The US Australia alliance still dominates Australia's national strategy, but Australia is also seeking multilateral cooperation and independent technological innovation. For Australia, neither absolute autonomy nor excessive dependence are desirable, and the enhancement of its sovereignty needs to be built on a balance between these two points.

The impact of Australia's technology development strategy on the national defense system

The Australian technology development strategy has a profound impact on the national defense system, involving multiple fields such as weapon systems and cybersecurity. Through technological research and innovation, Australia can enhance its defense capabilities, respond to security threats, and safeguard national security. The formulation of technology strategies and the construction and conflict of sovereignty capabilities affect Australia's defense policy and reflect its strategic positioning in geopolitical games. The Australian technology development strategy provides the foundation, supporting facilities, and talent reserves for national defense capabilities. The defense field will present a more open and diverse personnel composition, and interdisciplinary and cross institutional cooperation models will be more in-depth. Australia will strengthen STEM education, attract local technical talents to join the defense industry, and have a foundation for independent research and development of defense technology. The government will increase defense spending, focusing on strategic areas and advanced combat system research and development, to provide funding support for the development of advanced defense technologies. Technological innovation and cooperation will enable Australia to gain non-traditional advantages, accelerate the application and transformation of defense technology through projects such as the "Advanced Strategic Capability Accelerator", and reflect the trend of efficient new combat methods and intelligent warfare. Through the second pillar of AUKUS, Australia will participate in the joint research and development of advanced networks, quantum technology, and underwater combat technology to enhance national defense security and deterrence. Australia will quickly adapt to new defense technologies and meet urgent defense needs through a mission oriented cooperation model. Australia will promote the integration of domestic defense technology and industry, create an independent defense industry framework, rely on external forces to promote technology development, and ensure the resilience of the defense supply chain. The government will cooperate with small and medium-sized enterprises and large industry partners, combining scientific development concepts and new industry opportunities. Australia focuses on supporting collaboration between universities, businesses, and defense research institutions to promote the transformation of cutting-edge technologies and make defense technology more directly serve the national defense system. Australia will be free from threats from other countries and respond quickly to threats. Australia still relies on alliances and partnerships to stabilize its supply chain and achieve national interests. In terms of raw materials required for defense industry technology, Australia supports the development of key minerals, overcomes production technology barriers, enhances mineral processing sovereignty, and leverages the power of other countries to obtain defense technology. It also increases investment cooperation with like-minded partners, enhances downstream processing capabilities, and establishes a resilient and sustainable global supply chain. Australia attaches great importance to international defense alliances and hopes to enhance its technological strength and national security through specific bilateral relationships in international technological and geopolitical struggles, demonstrating a trend towards "pan securitization". Australia will strengthen its alliance with the United States, address regional security risks, establish a 'Ministerial Key Minerals Working Group', and rely on its partnership with the United States to lead the maintenance of global key mineral supplies. Australia will tilt its resources towards high-end technology related to "AUKUS", strengthen interoperability with allies, deter maritime combat forces, and increase its involvement in the Pacific and South China Sea regions. Australia will enhance its ability to respond to new security threats, including biosecurity, ecological security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence security, and human security. The Australian government has higher expectations and increased investment in the role of science in saving lives and maintaining social stability. With the development of related technologies, Australia will enhance its self-defense capabilities in the international network environment and living space. The Australian government attaches great importance to new areas of defense capabilities such as cyber security and autonomous system security, and has launched public scientific participation programs and new risk monitoring measures. The Australian government has extended the scope of national security to the field of human security, which is in line with the trend of the times.

6 Conclusion

The importance of the Australian National Science Statement to national strategy in the geopolitical context was emphasized, as Australia builds a technological blueprint by investing in key areas, deepening STEM education, and integrating indigenous scientific wisdom. The government integrates technology into its geopolitical and defense strategies, emphasizing the development of ocean technology and disruptive technologies, as well as building advantages in international competition. The AUKUS framework provided technical information for Australia, but also sparked discussions on sovereignty transfer and international disputes. Australia is facing a return to traditional military security concepts and a trend towards "pan security" in its pursuit of national security and regional stability. The statement emphasizes building sovereignty capabilities through multiple pathways, but Australia still relies on alliances for technological development and applications, and needs to seek a balance between security and sovereignty. How to balance national sovereignty and partnership in technology research and application, as well as achieve balance in foreign and defense policies, is the main challenge facing Australia.