Australia’s defence‑tech moment has arrived. The Government’s recently released 2026 National Defence Strategy update signals a significant uplift in Defence spending, including increased investment in the technologies reshaping modern conflict and commerce.

As global strategic uncertainty intensifies and advanced technologies become central to both defence capability and economic strength, Australia faces critical choices about building sovereign capability, resilient supply chains and globally competitive defence‑tech industries.

This  conversation brings together government, industry, investors and the community to explore how AUKUS Pillar II creates new commercial opportunities across AI, quantum, cyber, electronic warfare and undersea systems, how SMEs can cross the commercial “valley of death” from R&D to revenue, and how Western Australia can position itself as a globally competitive hub for defence‑tech, talent and investment in the decade ahead.

THEMES / DISCUSSION POINTS

1. The 2026 Defence Strategy Updates:
    - The National Defence Strategy
    - Defence Industry Development Strategy
    - Integrated Investment Program

2. Sovereign defence capability vs global integration: clarity for SMEs and start-ups.

3. The commercial funding gap between R&D and revenue in defence-tech.

4. The future of AUKUS as a business opportunity.

5. Defence as a customer: procurement, pace and risk​.

6. Talent, Skills and Capital: How Defence can compete with global tech firms for the same AI, cyber and systems talent.