Traditionally, the Defense industry and related research constituted one of the main drivers of technological development in industrialized countries. France would certainly not be a world leader in the aeronautics and space market without the military epic Dassault or the Sud-aviations helicopters, just as Germany would be a metallurgical and automobile leader without Krupp and RheinMetall. This characteristic of the Defense industry has been gradually forgotten, and today, it is common to expect innovative solutions and new equipment from civilian research that can be “militarized”.
The Australian example reminds us of the virtues of industrial investment and defense research for the national economy. Indeed, Australia is the world's leading producer of Lithium in terms of reserves, but its industry has, for the moment, not been interested in Lithium-Ion batteries, which are today essential in many areas, ranging from Smartphones to electric cars. However, the 12 Shortfin Barracuda submarines built by Naval Group in Australia will use batteries of this type, batteries which will be produced on site, with technology transfers, required.
The opportunity for the Australian economy to position itself as a major player in the market for batteries themselves, and not simply as a supplier of raw materials, has not escaped the country's government, which sees it as a way to compensate its Defense investments.
An example which should inspire French decision-makers who are sometimes reluctant to finance Defense research, but also industrialists who could proactively promote the civilian technological benefits of military programs.