New partnerships, MOU signings and defence technology unveilings were among the highlights from the South Australia – The Defence State stand at last week’s Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition in Perth. The event also showcased the depth and diversity of South Australia’s defence sector, with more than 60 companies, research organisations and education institutions demonstrating local innovation, advanced manufacturing expertise and sovereign capabilities. In total, more than 1,000 exhibiting companies and organisations joined the event from across the globe, attracting approximately 22,000 attendees over three days. South Australian Minister for Defence and Space Industries Chris Picton met with many ...

Adelaide electronics design and manufacturing firm Hendon Semiconductors has partnered with Perth-based Proteus Maritime to deliver innovative Australian-made technology for the increasingly contested underwater environment. The partnership, formalised at Land Forces 2026, will accelerate the development and delivery of Proteus Maritime’s Tripwire system, an Australian-developed network of seabed sensors designed to improve awareness of activities below the ocean’s surface. The system securely transmits information over long distances in near real time providing decision-makers with timely and reliable data. Hendon Semiconductors will manufacture the Tripwire system at scale in Australia and at an affordable price point, ensuring the capacity, reliability and ...

South Australian defence company Silentium Defence is expanding its global export reach through partnerships helping its locally developed passive radar technology reach international defence and security markets. Headquartered in Adelaide, Silentium Defence develops and manufactures rapidly deployable passive radar and low-signature sensing systems that detect and track objects across sea, land, air and space. In 10 years, the company has grown from two co-founders to more than 130 highly skilled staff across three facilities, with ambitions to expand to more than 200 high-tech jobs in the next 12 months. Silentium Defence recently used a networking event held as part of ...

South Australian company Praetorian Aeronautics has partnered with Rheinmetall to deliver an Australian-developed containerised Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft System (C-UAS). Known as AERIE – Autonomous-Engagement-Rapid-Interceptor-Effector – the system has been developed through a collaborative research and development partnership between the two companies, progressing from concept to prototype within 12 months. The AERIE demonstrator features Praetorian Aeronautics’ Australian-designed and developed Arrow Interceptor and Hadrian Command and Control (C2) system. Praetorian Aeronautics Chief Executive Officer Brett Hill said the partnership brought together complementary expertise to strengthen Australian air defence capability. “Praetorian Aeronatics has been developing cutting edge systems for more than three years. Our ...

Leading Australian technology company, Mawson Lakes-based Codan, has unveiled its solution to deliver the next generation of radio communication systems for Australian soldiers. The company’s proposal for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) LAND 4140 Work Package 16 Tactical Edge Radio program is centred on Codan’s Sentry 6161 radio, which is designed and manufactured in South Australia and is already in service with the Australian Army. The program aims to deliver a common radio system that enables voice, data, sensor and unmanned system connectivity at the "tactical edge" of the battlefield, including in contested environments where communications may be disrupted. Codan ...

First Nations-owned cybersecurity firm Secure State Consultants has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a global aerospace and defence company to strengthen its Australian defence capability. The agreement with Safran Group, which develops aircraft propulsion systems, aviation equipment, navigation and surveillance technologies, was formalised during this week’s Land Forces event. Under the MOU, Secure State, which operates from the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, will provide specialist expertise to support Safran in enhancing its cyber resilience, security posture and capability within the Australian operating environment. This includes the design and implementation of fit-for-purpose secure ICT environments and infrastructure supporting ...

Groundbreaking South Australian technology that could help deliver more accurate navigation in challenging operating environments is advancing towards commercialisation. Northrop Grumman, a leading global aerospace and defence technology company, partnered with Adelaide University and Adelaide-based manufacturer Norseld Photonics to develop Hollow Core Optical Fibres. These fibres are a key component of Fibre Optic Gyroscopes used in defence and aerospace navigation systems and represent a significant advancement in next-generation inertial navigation technologies. At this week’s Land Forces event in Perth, the companies announced that the project will move from research to commercialisation, creating opportunities for South Australian suppliers and strengthening Australia's ...

Global counter-drone technology company DroneShield has opened a new research and development (R&D) hub at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen, strengthening South Australia’s defence technology sector. The ASX-listed company’s first dedicated R&D facility outside its New South Wales headquarters will focus on advanced engineering and product development for counter-drone and electronic warfare solutions. The hub is expected to create about 20 specialised engineering roles across radio frequency electronics, electronic warfare and systems interoperability. Work undertaken at the facility will support the continued development of DroneShield’s counter-drone technologies and contribute to Australia’s sovereign defence capability. DroneShield Chief Executive Angus Bean said South Australia’s ...

In a major win for South Australia’s defence industry, DTC, a division of electronics company Codan, will supply its advanced radio technology for use in Polish drones. DTC recently signed a deal with unmanned systems manufacturer FlyFocus that will see the Polish company use the Adelaide-designed and manufactured radio technology which allows the unmanned systems to reliably communicate and share data with their operators. As drones and unmanned systems play an increasing role in current conflicts, DTC’s solutions are designed to maintain connectivity in complex and interference heavy operating environments, reducing the chances of the signal between operators and units ...

The Submarine Institute of Australia's 8th Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference (SubSTEC8) is underway in Adelaide, exploring the theme 'Pillar 1 through a Pillar 2 Lens – Advanced AUKUS Capabilities and the Submarine Deterrent'. Over the two-day conference, SubSTEC8 will explore how AUKUS "Advanced Technology" (Pillar 2) can address the challenges of maintaining a contemporary submarine capability during a period of significant geostrategic change. It will specifically examine the transition to a multi-class fleet, including the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. "The acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through AUKUS seeks to improve Australia’s deterrence capabilities as a priority for immediate action. ...

South Australian defence capability will take centre stage at the nation’s leading international land defence exposition, Land Forces 2026, in October. Joining the South Australia – The Defence State stand at the event in Perth will be 60 innovative South Australian defence companies, alongside leading research and education institutions. Throughout the three-day event, exhibitors will demonstrate their expertise across advanced manufacturing, systems integration and engineering. Sovereign capabilities critical to strengthening the development of Australia’s land forces will also be showcased, including Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and autonomous systems, cyber and information resilience, simulation and training. Among the exhibitors will be ...

South Australian defence technology company RFTEQ is partnering with Poland-based XY-Sensing to develop new security and electronic warfare technology for defence, security and critical infrastructure customers. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities across advanced radio frequency, radar, sensing and mission-system technologies. Their combined capabilities will support the development of next-generation sensing and monitoring solutions for drones and unmanned systems, border security and critical infrastructure protection. The MOU was signed at MSPO, one of Europe’s largest military defence exhibitions, where RFTEQ was supported to showcase its capabilities as part of the Team Defence Australia stand. ...