The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) yesterday inked a five year strategic research and development allliance agreement with BAE Systems Australia.

The agreement extends and upgrades a previous three year industry alliance arrangement between the two organizations and will focus on electronic warfare, autonomous systems, high frequency surveillance, air defence, air platforms, mission simulation training and intelligence, and surveillance and reconnaissance mission support.

The parliamentary secretary to the minister for defence, Peter Lindsay, said the agreement means both organizations will liaise at the CEO level.

"This strategic research and development alliance means that interaction between the two organizations will happen at the CEO and strategic planning levels rather than the lower levels of the previous agreement," Lindsay said.

"The extension and upgrade of this alliance arrangement will ensure that the high quality of science DSTO produces is augmented by the full benefit of some of the best private sector scientific and technological brains in Australia.

"Previous to this new agreement, the industry alliance between DSTO and BAE Systems had been fruitful, producing technology developments in areas including electronic warfare, weapons systems and modelling and simulation."

BAE Systems Australia has traded with the DSTO for 12 years which involved testing and support for Hawk fighters planes, support for its anti-ship missile system and the advanced short range air to air missile project.