University of New South Wales Canberra plans to include a new Defence and Security Innovation Precinct at its proposed new city campus in the nation’s capital.

The Defence and Security Innovation Precinct was launched at LAND FORCES 2018 on Wednesday.

UNSW Canberra Rector Professor Michael Frater said the proposed precinct would strengthen the university’s 50-year partnership with Defence and the Canberra community.

“This planned precinct will open the door to new collaborative opportunities because of the access it will grant to government, global defence industry, R&D organisations, UNSW researchers, partners and students,” Prof Michael Frater said.

“It is the ideal home for R&D teams to work with some of the world’s leading experts in defence research in areas like space and cyber.

“We are inviting members of the Defence industry to join us in the precinct and take advantage of this outstanding opportunity.”

UNSW Canberra said the Defence and Security Innovation Precinct was proposed to be located in Canberra’s research and innovation corridor and link science, education, technology, defence and other government agencies such as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and Department of Home Affairs.

It will be led by the UNSW Defence Research Institute, which was set up in February 2018 and aims to develop and deliver world-class defence and security capabilities.

The university said it was currently finalising its proposal for the city campus for the ACT Government to consider.

“The proposed city campus would provide much needed space for the current and future needs of UNSW Canberra research with a range of accommodation options for a significant number of research organisations on site,” UNSW Canberra said.

Prof Frater said the university would consult all stakeholders in the ACT government and community on the new city campus.