Australia steps up engagement at international defence shows

More than 100 Australian suppliers were among 3,000 suppliers and 1,700 exhibitors from 58 countries at the expo.

“Events like these are important for building stronger national security capabilities so we are better able to maximise deterrence, denial, and response opportunities, given the increasingly complicated world we are living in,” said Head of Australian Defence Staff in London Brigadier Grant Mason.

John Brosnan, Austrade’s Defence & Security Director in the UK, said 104 Australian companies were on show.

“This is Australia’s biggest ever trade delegation to an international defence show, with 700 meetings arranged,” Brosnan said.

“There’ll be lots of connections made and a lot of relationships built on which, hopefully, business will follow.”

Earlier this month, the Australian delegation also attended the 31st International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2023) in Poland from 5 to 8 September. The MSPO was attended by Polish President Andrzej Duda, Polish National Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, 711 exhibitors from 35 countries, and almost 26,000 guests.

Common defence innovations across both exhibitions include artificial intelligence robotics and navigation technologies, advanced electronic warfare systems, counter-drone solutions, threat intelligence technology, metal manufacturing solutions, and multi-domain integration systems.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.