Enhancing Defence Operations Through Advanced Data Strategy

The Strategic Shift in Data Utilization

In contemporary military operations, data has emerged as a vital strategic asset, influencing domains ranging from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to logistical maintenance. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has recognized this evolving landscape, exemplified by its recently unveiled Defence Data Strategy 2.0, which builds on its 2021-2023 predecessor. This updated strategy articulates a comprehensive approach to leveraging data for enhanced operational efficacy and future military applications.

Dual Focus: Warfighting and Corporate Data

The Defence Data Strategy 2.0 establishes two primary categories of data:

• Warfighting Data: This encompasses mission data, targeting information, intelligence-specific data, and surveillance metrics.
• Corporate Data: This category includes critical information related to engineering, maintenance, financial operations, and logistics.

Notably, significant overlaps exist; certain corporate data, particularly in logistics and maintenance, can yield invaluable insights when applied within a warfighting context.

Navigating a Contested Information Environment

According to the strategy, the operational landscape will increasingly feature contested information environments over the next decade. The challenge for the DoD lies in ensuring that its data assets are accessible through robust digital networks capable of processing larger volumes of data at accelerated speeds. This necessity not only underscores technological advancements but also highlights the role of resilience in manoeuvring through potential threats to data integrity.

The OneDefence Data Platform

Central to the Defense Data Strategy is the OneDefence Data Platform. This integrated framework consolidates diverse data sources into a single, user-friendly interface, promoting enterprise-level data catalogues while enhancing archiving, search capabilities, access, and analytical functions. Notably, while the platform encapsulates all structured and unstructured enterprise data, it does not encompass sensitive intelligence or surveillance information.

Key Features of OneDefence Data Platform:

• Unified Access: Offers a centralized location for diverse data types.
• Enhanced Analytical Tools: Incorporates advanced analytics and visualization tools.
• Data Integration: Facilitates seamless merging of various data streams to enhance operational efficiency.

As Paul Robards, Chief Data Integration Officer at the Australian DoD, emphasized, the operational deployment of the OneDefence Data Platform was confirmed in June 2025, with ongoing efforts to expand its functionalities.

Accelerating Decision-Making and Military Capability

A critical aspect of the updated strategy focuses on harnessing data to amplify military capabilities and secure a decision-making advantage. This entails the ability to make informed decisions swiftly, outpacing potential adversaries. The strategy places considerable weight on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize data utilization. As Robards highlighted, AI not only adds depth to the value of the DoD’s data but also enhances capability development across the board.

Future Technological Priorities

The Defence Data Strategy 2.0 holds promise for the advancement of various technological areas prioritized under AUKUS Pillar 2, which includes:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Autonomous Systems
• Cybersecurity Solutions
• Quantum Computing

This alignment emphasizes data as a core enabler for evolving defence capabilities and necessitates an uplift in data-related skills among personnel.

Fostering a Data-Centric Culture

Robards asserts that cultivating a data culture within the DoD is imperative for realizing the full potential of the Defence Data Strategy. This involves embedding the understanding and valuation of defense data as a strategic asset into the organization’s operational fabric.

Industry partners can play a significant role in this endeavor by:

• Ensuring that the design and implementation of future data analytics will incorporate the OneDefence Data Platform as a foundational element.
• Adhering to established data standards that promote interoperability across integrated military forces.

With a focus on maintaining high standards of data governance, the DoD aims to leverage its data assets to drive innovation and enhance strategic operations.

For more in-depth insights, readers are encouraged to consult the comprehensive feature available at Janes Strategic Analysis.