My first job in the Turnbull government was to deliver an across government Innovation and Science Agenda to kick-start an ideas boom to support creativity and enterprise.

I'm very proud my second job has been as Australia's first ever Minister for Defence Industry, a portfolio designed to help Australian industry grasp what is a once in a generation opportunity to capitalise on the government's defence spending and expand into new markets.

Needless to say I am a great believer in innovation as an economic driver and believe the Turnbull government's massive investment to renew Australian Defence Force capability in the nation's history should become a national endeavour.

This commitment of $195 billion over the coming decade is incredibly important to our national security and defence but also to transforming our national economy.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has put Australian innovation, science and research at the centre of this government's historic investment in building the capability of the Australian army, navy and air force.

Defence, Australian industry, academic institutions and state and territory governments must work together if we are to maximise jobs and economic growth, and deliver the very best technologies and capability to the Australian Defence Force.

We are investing over $1.6 billion in the coming decade specifically to build the innovation capabilities of Australian industry, universities and research institutions to deliver innovative products and solutions for Defence.

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) opening in December this year will be the cornerstone of the new Defence-industry partnership bringing together the strategic guidance of Defence, the program delivery expertise of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and the skills and commitment of private industry.

Innovation Hub

As well the CDIC will act as the front door for businesses and universities who want to find out about new and current Defence innovation programs in the soon to be launched virtual Innovation Hub.

Through the Innovation Hub, the government will invest $640 million over the decade to support Australian industry and research organisations to mature and accelerate the development of defence technologies.

BAE's Cuttlefish Project, a $4.9 million announcement I will be making today is a great example of how innovative technology sets Australian defence above the rest.

The Cuttlefish project, currently under development, will use techniques to counter radio frequency emitters, enabling the Royal Australian Navy to sustain an enduring presence in hostile and threatening environments.

The project aims to develop counter-surveillance capability to enable the RAN to shape, disrupt and inhibit an adversary's surveillance and targeting of RAN platforms.

BAE does not stand alone in this innovation endeavour.

World-first capabilities

Victorian company, Tectonica Australia is another company embarking on world-first innovative capability.

Tectonica Australia, with the help of $109 million from the Turnbull government, will demonstrate a system that will enable an armoured vehicle crew to see and hear as though their vehicle is not there.

Wearing virtual reality glasses with headphones, the user will see what is happening outside the vehicle and hear the direction of sounds relative to their head.

Along with Tectonica, six other Australian organisations have recently received Australian government funding equalling $14.7 million to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies just like this.

Innovation can come in many shapes and sizes. It can deliver everything from significant, game-changing breakthroughs in technology to keep defence personnel safe to incremental changes that improve the quality or efficiency of a production line or the integrity of a supply chain. It can even involve taking an already proven concept and pursuing its application in a new domain.

The CDIC, paired with the Innovation Hub will be a one-stop shop for businesses all around Australia to develop innovation defence capability just like the Cuttlefish Project.

Innovation is critical to Australia's future economic growth with innovative companies across Australia crucial to enhancing the ADF's capability edge and spurring investment into new advanced Australian manufacturing industries.

And this is only the beginning!

Christopher Pyne is the Commonwealth Minister for Defence Industry