South Australia will take centre stage on the global defence and space arena this April, showcasing its leading capabilities at three of the world’s most influential industry events.
South Australian Government representatives from Defence SA and the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) will attend Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) in London, Sea Air Space in Maryland, USA, and the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, USA.
The engagements reinforce South Australia’s position as Australia’s leading defence and space state and a key strategic contributor to the AUKUS partnership with the United States and United Kingdom, as the build location for the SSN-AUKUS submarines.
With delegations of South Australian companies and research organisations also attending, these events will place our world-class defence and space industries in front of senior international decision makers across government, defence and industry.
Defence SA Chief Executive Matt Opie said South Australia will highlight the depth, credibility and leadership of its defence and space sectors at these major events.
“These events allow us to showcase what South Australia does best – delivering advanced capability across the defence and space domains to trusted global partners,” he said.
“Our industry has consistently shown it can compete and win on the world stage, securing contracts with international customers.
“This month’s program builds on that momentum, providing platforms to drive export opportunities, attract investment and strengthen partnerships across AUKUS and allied nations.”
Defence SA representatives and South Australian companies will also participate in pre- and post-event trade missions, connecting with international primes, defence agencies and research partners.
South Australia is home to a globally significant defence and space ecosystem, anchored by the Osborne Naval Shipyard, leading research institutions and a highly specialised industrial base and skilled workforce.
Through these events, South Australia’s defence and space industries will gain valuable international exposure to showcase this capability and support new export, investment and collaboration opportunities for the state.
Showcasing space innovation at the Colorado Space Symposium, USA
From 13-16 April, SASIC will join Austrade in partnership with the Australian Space Agency and the Space Industry Association of Australia to lead an Australian space industry delegation at the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
A contingent of the state’s innovative space ecosystem will be part of the delegation, highlighting capabilities from satellite and component manufacture and design and launch services to IoT connectivity solutions and breakthrough passive radar, power and propulsion technologies.
South Australia on the global stage at UDT London
Defence SA will host its own stand at UDT in London, from 14-16 April 2026, one of the world’s most respected undersea defence and security conferences. This will be the first dedicated South Australian presence at UDT, affirming the state’s role in delivering complex maritime capabilities, particularly in undersea systems, advanced manufacturing and collaborative R&D.
South Australia’s presence at UDT London will also promote UDT Australia which is being held in Adelaide in December 2026, the first time the event will be held outside of the UK in its 37-year history.
Connecting with defence industry leaders at Sea Air Space, USA
At Sea Air Space 2026, the largest maritime and defence exposition in the US, South Australia’s defence ecosystem will be on display to a global audience from 19-22 April.
More than 20 local organisations are part of the South Australian delegation exhibiting with Team Defence Australia, showcasing expertise across naval shipbuilding, autonomous systems, guided weapons and explosive ordnance, cyber and electronic warfare.
Defence SA will build on this, hosting delegates from across the globe highlighting how the state’s advanced industrial ecosystem is shaping the future of global defence.
Media contact:
Joanna Tsoukalas, Strategic Communications Manager
[email protected]
0487 704 284
