On January 5, 2026, the Australian Department of Defence announced a funding package of nearly A$40 million for 14 new contracts focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Managed by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), the "Decision Advantage" program is designed to fund the development of prototypes and new concepts—such as machine reasoning and AI orchestration—rather than the purchase of finished systems. The contracts have been awarded to a mix of Australian universities and technology companies to build the technical foundations for future defence capabilities.