Defence spends $25m on Australian unis

Australian universities will get $25 million from the defence budget to collaborate with US universities on cutting-edge research.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said on Tuesday funding for the Australian program of the US Multidisciplinary University Initiative - spread over nine years - formed part of the government's $1.6 billion investment in defence innovation.

"The AUSMURI program will build Australian expertise, capacity and networks in critical technology areas to give Defence a capability edge," Mr Pyne said.