Representatives from Defence SA and the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) will attend major international gatherings across the UK and the United States, including Undersea Defence Technology 2026, Sea-Air-Space 2026, and the 41st Space Symposium.
The high-profile appearances reinforce South Australia’s position as the nation’s leading defence and space hub and a critical contributor to the AUKUS partnership with the United States and United Kingdom, particularly as the future build site for SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
Delegations of local companies and research institutions will also attend, putting South Australia’s advanced industrial and research capabilities in front of senior decisionmakers from governments, defence forces and major global primes.
Defence SA chief executive Matt Opie said the events provide a key platform to highlight the state’s depth of expertise.
“These forums give us the chance to show exactly what South Australia delivers – cutting-edge capability across defence and space for trusted international partners,” he said.
“Our industry continues to prove it can compete globally, winning contracts and building strong relationships with overseas customers.
“This program builds on that momentum, creating opportunities to boost exports, attract investment and deepen partnerships across AUKUS and other allied nations.”
Alongside the main events, South Australian representatives will take part in trade missions, engaging directly with international defence companies, government agencies and research partners.
The state’s defence and space ecosystem, which will be anchored by the Osborne Naval Shipyard, includes leading research institutions, a highly specialised industrial base and a skilled workforce supporting complex projects across maritime, aerospace and advanced technologies.
At the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from 13–16 April, SASIC will join Austrade, the Australian Space Agency and the Space Industry Association of Australia to lead a national delegation.
South Australian firms will showcase capabilities spanning satellite design and manufacturing, launch services, IOT connectivity and emerging technologies including passive radar, power systems and propulsion.
Meanwhile, Defence SA will host its own stand at Undersea Defence Technology in London from 14–16 April, marking the state’s first dedicated presence at the event. The move highlights South Australia’s growing role in undersea warfare systems, advanced manufacturing and collaborative research and development.
The London event will also be used to promote UDT Australia, set to be held in Adelaide in December 2026, the first time in the conference’s 37-year history it will take place outside the UK.
At Sea-Air-Space 2026 in the United States from 19–22 April, more than 20 South Australian organisations will exhibit as part of Team Defence Australia. The delegation will highlight expertise in naval shipbuilding, autonomous systems, guided weapons, explosive ordnance and cyber and electronic warfare.
Defence SA will also host international delegates, showcasing how South Australia’s industrial base is helping shape the future of global defence.
Together, the three events are expected to deliver significant international exposure for South Australia’s defence and space sectors, opening the door to new export deals, investment opportunities and long-term global partnerships.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Space Connect a preferred news source on Google.