Australia has a strong hand. Are we playing it well?
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 brought 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 South Australia can position itself as a globally competitive hub for defence‑tech, talent and investment in the decade ahead.
Thank you to our sponsor TBH.
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Matt Opie, Chief Executive Defence SA and Julian McCarthy, SA Managing Partner and National Defence Lead Partner, PwC Australia
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Tanya Monro AC, Chief Defence Scientist, Federal Department of Defence and Julian McCarthy, SA Managing Partner and National Defence Lead Partner, PwC Australia
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Alexandra Grigg, Investment Manager, Beaten Zone Venture Partners, Andy Keough CSC, Managing Director, SAAB Systems Australia, Rebecca Humble, CEO, Aurizn, Peter La Franchi, National Defence Director, TBH and Julian McCarthy SA Managing Partner and National Defence Lead Partner, PwC Australia