South Australia is Australia’s premier defence state and the home of construction for Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, placing the state at the centre of the AUKUS partnership and Australia’s long-term undersea capability.
Globally recognised for its innovation and advanced manufacturing strengths, South Australia delivers complex defence programs across maritime, air, land, space and cyber domains. The state brings together a highly skilled workforce, more than 400 specialised small and medium enterprises and seven of the world’s top 10 defence companies, creating a globally competitive ecosystem for defence capability and innovation.
A strong culture of collaboration between industry, government and academia underpins South Australia’s research and development strengths. World-class universities, defence research institutions and industry partnerships are advancing technologies in areas including autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, sensing technologies and undersea capabilities.
South Australia also hosts critical defence infrastructure, including the Osborne Naval Shipyard, one of the world’s most advanced naval shipbuilding facilities and one of only four connected shipyards across the AUKUS partnership.
At the Undersea Defence Technology Conference in London, Defence SA will host a dedicated South Australia stand for the first time, showcasing the state’s industry capability and research expertise and building on the national presence led by Team Defence Australia.
Be sure to join us when UDT comes to Adelaide in December 2026. Speak to the team in London for more information or visit the UDT Australia website.
Visit South Australia – The Defence State at UDT London, located in the ExCeL, Stand B70, from 14–16 April 2026, and learn how the state’s defence ecosystem is contributing to the future of undersea capability.
South Australian companies at UDT, London
Explore the South Australian delegation attending UDT, London below.
To see 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 speakers and panellists
South Australian experts will feature prominently at UDT, sharing insights across undersea defence, maritime systems and advanced technologies. Hear how they are driving innovation at the sessions listed below.
South Australian Government exhibitor spotlight
Defence SA is the South Australian Government’s lead agency for all defence-related matters, encompassing the Defence Innovation Partnership. We will have State Government representatives onsite at UDT, London with expertise across defence and R&D.
The Defence Innovation Partnership fosters defence focused R&D collaboration across industry and academia in South Australia, accelerating the delivery of innovative capabilities for Defence.
Explore South Australian projects supported by the Defence Innovation Partnership that are advancing undersea warfare capability, autonomous systems, and next generation maritime technologies below.
South Australia’s defence projects
South Australia’s experienced and capable industrial base is part of the supply chain delivering many of the country’s largest and most complex defence projects.
Below is a snapshot of major defence 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 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 being established (scheduled for completion by mid 2026) to provide the critical infrastructure necessary for onshore maintenance and upgrade of the aircraft.
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 home to a thriving cluster of companies with cyber expertise, committed to building cyber capacity and securing Australia’s digital landscape.
Information Warfare
Information Warfare
South Australia is a key operational hub for Defence intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare.
Defence and space infrastructure and precincts
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.
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.
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.
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.
TONSLEY INNOVATION DISTRICT
TONSLEY INNOVATION DISTRICT
Tonsley Innovation District brings together research industry and government to drive innovation, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0 technologies, research and training. It is also the location of the Flinders Factory of the Future and digital shipyard.
LOT FOURTEEN
LOT FOURTEEN
Lot Fourteen is a world-class innovation district located in Adelaide’s CBD, home to 160 organisations. The innovation district focuses on space, defence, cyber and creative industries, enabled via critical technologies.
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 a network of companies working within the defence and space sectors.
