South Australia is Australia’s premier defence state – set to play a crucial role in the AUKUS partnership as home to the build of Australia’s fleet of SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
The Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia is undergoing a major transformation to support the SSN-AUKUS program, reinforcing South Australia’s role in strengthening Indo-Pacific security and global stability.
South Australia also leads in a number of advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber and undersea warfare, with efforts supported by a highly skilled workforce, world-class research institutions and a thriving ecosystem of defence SMEs and primes.
South Australia’s defence industry leadership will be on the global stage at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) in London, one of the world’s largest and most influential defence and security trade exhibitions attracting global leaders, academics and industry experts.
- More than 50 South Australian companies will be in attendance to showcase their cutting-edge capabilities across defence, space and cyber.
- For the first time Defence SA, the South Australian Government’s lead agency for defence, will host its own stand, building on the Team Defence Australia presence and reinforcing the state’s reputation as a strategic partner in Australia’s defence industry.
Visit the South Australia – the Defence State stand in Hall S2, Stand 114, opposite Team Defence Australia, from 9–12 September 2025, and discover how South Australia is shaping the future of global defence.
South Australian companies at DSEI
South Australia is home to seven of the world’s top ten defence companies and more than 500 small to medium defence and space related organisations and leading research institutions. Together, they contribute to South Australia’s position at the forefront of Australia’s defence and space sectors.
More than 50 high profile companies, research and education institutions listed below will join the South Australian delegation at DSEI. To explore the full list of organisations within the defence and space sector in South Australia visit our Defence Industry Directory and Space Industry Directory.
South Australian Government exhibitor spotlight
Defence SA is the South Australian Government’s lead agency for all defence-related matters, encompassing the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) and the Defence Innovation Partnership (DIP).
We will have State Government expertise available across defence, space and R&D.
Defence SA is South Australia’s lead government agency for all defence matters, driving expansion opportunities, supporting major projects and strengthening state capabilities.
SASIC drives space industry innovation, research and growth in South Australia, with a vision to create a thriving and enduring space ecosystem.
DIP is a catalyst for defence-relevant R&D collaborations in South Australia, working with industry and academia to deliver enhanced capabilities to Defence.
Invest SA is a dedicated team of investment and business professionals that can connect you with opportunities, industry networks, and other government agencies in South Australia.
Get in touch
For any enquiries or to book a meeting with our team at DSEI, please get in touch via events@defencesa.com
South Australia’s defence and space projects
South Australia’s experienced and capable industry base is part of the supply chain delivering many of the country’s largest and most complex defence projects and is at the forefront of the nation’s space endeavours.
Complementing these strengths are advanced capabilities in cyber, aerospace, and electronic warfare. The state also drives innovation in defence through collaborative research initiatives such as the Defence Innovation Partnership.
Below is a snapshot of major projects currently underway in South Australia:
Nuclear Powered Submarine Program
Nuclear Powered Submarine Program
Australia and the United Kingdom are forging a new era of defence collaboration through SSN-AUKUS – a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine program. Both nations will work side by side on the design, construction, operation, sustainment, and disposal of the SSN-AUKUS fleet.
Based on the UK’s next generation design, construction will commence at the end of the decade at Osborne in South Australia.
Collins Class Submarines
Collins Class Submarines
A crucial asset of the Royal Australian Navy, the Collins Class submarine fleet were the first submarines to be constructed in Australia at South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard between 1996 and 2003.
Today, the shipyard is the site of the ongoing Full-Cycle Docking and Life of Type Extension (LOTE) programs for the fleet.
Hunter Class Frigates
Hunter Class Frigates
Based at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, the Hunter class frigate program will deliver a fleet of six world-class anti-submarine warfare frigates to boost the undersea warfare and strike capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.
The first frigate will be delivered in 2032.
Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft
RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide is the base for the nation’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and response aircraft.
A purpose-built 737 deep maintenance and modification facility is also be established to provide the critical infrastructure necessary for onshore maintenance and upgrade of the aircraft.
Triton Unmanned Aircraft System
Triton Unmanned Aircraft System
Adelaide will be the centre of Australia’s strategic unmanned aerial vehicle fleet. The ground control operations for the Triton fleet will be managed by the No. 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
MC-55A Peregrine
MC-55A Peregrine
The Australian Government will acquire four modified MC-55A Peregrine aircraft, based out of RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.
Jindalee Operational Radar Network
Jindalee Operational Radar Network
The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is a multi-billion dollar investment supporting three over-the-horizon radar systems that use HF radar and ionospheric reflection to provide surveillance coverage of Australia’s northern air and sea approaches.
Land-19
Land-19
Australia’s $2.5 billion short-range air defence missile system program is currently underway at the new Centre for Joint Integration in Mawson Lakes in South Australia. The project will deliver the Australian Army-operated component including radars, missile launchers and command & control systems and integration with existing Army vehicles.
Space
Space
Home to the Australian Space Agency, Australian Space Discovery Centre, Australian Mission Control Centre, two launch facilities and more than 100 space-related companies, South Australia is at the forefront of the nation’s space endeavours.
Research & Development
Research & Development
South Australia has a long history of success in defence research, which is underpinned by the collaboration of defence industry, research organisations and educational institutions to find innovative solutions for the Australian Defence Force and defence projects.
Cyber
Cyber
South Australia is driving the growth of Australia’s cyber industry, creating hi-tech jobs and supporting the development of a cyber workforce for global businesses that can establish cyber teams in South Australia to take advantage of our world class research, education, market reach and lower cost environment.
Information Warfare
Information Warfare
South Australia is a key operational hub for Defence intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
Defence and space facilities
South Australia is also home to world-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art defence precincts ensuring local industry is equipped to deliver the defence and space capabilities needed now and into the future, including:
OSBORNE NAVAL SHIPYARD
OSBORNE NAVAL SHIPYARD
The Osborne Naval Shipyard is one of the most technologically advanced naval shipyards in the world. Home of South Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding program, the site supports project including the Hunter class frigates, the life of type extension and sustainment of the Collins class submarines and the future build of submarines for the AUKUS Nuclear-powered Submarine Program.
LOT FOURTEEN
LOT FOURTEEN
Lot Fourteen is a world-class innovation district located in Adelaide’s CBD. The seven-hectare hub brings together the state’s leading abilities in the space, defence, critical technologies and creative industries. Key tenants include the Australian Space Agency, SmatSat CRC, Defence and Space Landing Pad, Australian Institute for Machine Learning and Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre.
DEFENCE AND SPACE LANDING PAD
DEFENCE AND SPACE LANDING PAD
Located at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide’s CBD, the Defence and Space Landing Pad is available for companies looking to establish a presence in South Australia. Managed by Defence SA, the site offers affordable, short-term office facilities and connects companies to government support programs and a network of companies working within the defence and space sectors.
TECHNOLOGY PARK ADELAIDE
TECHNOLOGY PARK ADELAIDE
Located in Mawson Lakes in northern Adelaide, Technology Park Adelaide hosts a dynamic community of defence companies focused on systems development and integration, information communication technology, advanced manufacturing and electronics.
EDINBURGH DEFENCE PRECINCT
EDINBURGH DEFENCE PRECINCT
Edinburgh Defence Precinct is a key operational hub for advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare capabilities and central to supporting key Defence aircraft and infrastructure.
WOOMERA RANGE COMPLEX
WOOMERA RANGE COMPLEX
The Woomera Range Complex is the largest land-based test range in the world, covering 122,000 square kilometres.
CULTANA TRAINING AREA
CULTANA TRAINING AREA
Situated 370 kilometres north-west of Adelaide on the Spencer Gulf, Cultana has the ideal terrain and climate for year-round armoured, mechanised and cavalry forces training.
PORT WAKEFIELD PROOF AND EXPERIMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT
PORT WAKEFIELD PROOF AND EXPERIMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT
The Port Wakefield Proof and Experimental Establishment hosts weapons trials, munitions proofing and environmental testing for the ADF.
LAUNCH FACILITIES
LAUNCH FACILITIES
South Australia is home two approved launch facilities, Koonibba Test Range and Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex.
