Informal networking opportunity with peers, primes, and government representatives
This session will outline the challenges and opportunities shaping Australia’s evolving defence landscape and define the summit’s objective of strengthening SME participation.
As Australia strengthens its sovereign defence capability and deepens international partnerships, Australian defence businesses are facing growing opportunities to expand into global markets.
In this keynote, David Nockels, First Assistant Secretary of the Defence Trade, Regulation and AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Division at the Department of Defence, shares how Australian defence businesses can engage confidently with international markets while meeting Australia’s national security obligations.
You’ll gain a clearer understanding of the support available to Australian exporters, the importance of trusted partnerships in today’s geopolitical environment, and the role industry plays in strengthening Australia’s broader defence and strategic objectives.
Access to finance remains one of the greatest hurdles from SMEs entering or scaling within the Defence industry. This practical session brings together leading financial organisations to demystify funding pathways, explore tailored defence finance solutions, and share insights on managing growth in a project-driven sector. Join us as we discuss:
As global tensions, trade restrictions and sovereign capability priorities reshape the defence landscape, navigating geopolitical risk has become a core business consideration. This session explores how defence companies can build the governance, strategic awareness and decision-making capability needed to operate confidently in an increasingly complex environment. Discussion will move beyond headlines to unpack the underlying policy, regulatory and alliance dynamics shaping opportunity and risk across the sector.
For many Australian SMEs and mid-tier businesses, entering defence supply chains can feel complex, opaque and difficult to navigate. This practical session demystifies the language, structures and expectations of the defence ecosystem. You’ll learn what defence customers are really looking for, where businesses commonly fall short, and how to position your organisation for long-term participation and growth.
Integration into the supply chains of Defence enterprises is a major milestone for any SME. It’s a decisive leap forward that demands preparation, precision, and persistence.
In this panel, procurement and supply chain leaders from Defence enterprises will share what they look for in SME partners. You’ll gain an unvarnished view of how they assess, select, and support their SME partners, so you can learn to align with their expectations, processes, and frameworks. We’ll also explore how Defence enterprises are evolving their supplier engagement strategies for greater inclusion, transparency, and resilience across the national industrial base.
Key points of discussion include:
While Australia’s Defence sector is a catalyst for industrial capability, the innovation landscape it inhabits is part of a much larger ecosystem.
In this closing address, we explore how breakthroughs in automation, AI, data analytics, and systems integration are reshaping not only Defence operations but every complex supply chain.
You’ll gain insights into the trends that are defining the next twelve months of industrial progress, and how to capitalise on them.
Opportunity for informal discussions with presenters, primes, and government representatives
