Last week, Dr. Steven G. Wax, performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, introduced the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy on the Technology Cooperation Program (TTCP) Principals Meeting.

TTCP is a science and expertise alliance among the many Five Eyes (FVEY) nations – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Representatives met Sept. 11-15, 2023, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

That technique highlights the vital position our allies and companions play in our analysis and growth ecosystem.

“The Annual TTCP Principals Meeting is one of the most important annual engagements where the U.S. and our FVEY partners have the opportunity to collaborate on achieving our national security goals and maintaining our technological advantage,” Wax stated. “The TTCP initiatives have made an impact include delivering medical innovation on the battlefield, influencing capability design for our future platforms and making a real difference to operations.”

Meetings are held all year long to debate varied strategic challenges. At the annual assembly, which rotates among the many FVEY nations, the principals reviewed progress from all of the multi-national expertise teams (aerospace, human programs, maritime and land programs, supplies) and set expectations for the upcoming 12 months.

“The annual multilateral meeting this year in Quebec City was incredibly productive as we had the opportunity to review our joint work from the past twelve months and outline priorities to strengthen our global alliances and secure our common interests,” Wax stated. “We are committed to pursuing opportunities with our allies to co-research and co-develop innovative technology solutions.”

On day 4 of the assembly, the principals had the chance to tour the Defence Research and Development Canada, Valcartier Research Centre, which is able to open in Fall 2024 with 80 multi-disciplinary laboratories.

“It was a great honor to welcome Canada’s defense science partners from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States to Québec City, one of our nations’ oldest cities, and to DRDC’s Valcartier Research Centre, one of the many R&D laboratories serving today’s Canadian Armed Forces,” stated Dr. Jaspinder Komal, Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Research and Development Canada, Canada’s protection science and expertise group. “We were pleased to significantly advance common objectives and joint activities for The Technical Cooperation Program.” 

The TTCP FVEY annual assembly has taken place since 1969 and is comprised of greater than 2,000 scientists and engineers.

Australia will host the subsequent TTCP Principals Meeting, tentatively scheduled for the week of September 23, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia.