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First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff of the British Armed Forces, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, and Australia’s incoming Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, have been announced to headline the upcoming Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference and Exhibition in Western Australia.
The two senior naval leaders are expected to appear at the defence and security event held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26 to 28 May.
Other dignitaries include Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, as well as Vice Admiral Yasuhiro Kunimi, Vice Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
In addition, more than 190 companies from across nine countries registered to participate in the event.
“The Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference will put Western Australia at the centre of global defence conversations,” Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said.
“It will be where international partners, industry leaders and researchers come together to turn strategy into real capability – creating jobs, strengthening our sovereign defence industry and building the workforce we need for the future.
“Western Australia is already a critical hub for defence, and IODS is our opportunity to showcase that to the world.
“Join us for IODS 2026 to connect, explore emerging technologies, forge strategic partnerships, and contribute to the conversations that will shape defence and security for years to come.”
Backed by the Western government, IODS 2026 will bring together allied defence forces, industry, government, academia, education providers and international delegations for three days of strategic dialogue, collaboration and future-focused capability showcases, advancing conversations on regional security and cooperation.
Conference themes this year focus on four key areas of significance in the current geopolitical environment where Western Australia plays a vital role: AUKUS, regional security, industrial capability and critical minerals.
IODS 2026 will also welcome prominent figures from the international defence industry, including Damian Parmenter CBE, former director general AUKUS and senior counsellor with Palantir Technologies UK; Richard Spencer, former US secretary of the Navy and Austal chairman; and Dr Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
In response to the success of IODS 2024, the event program has expanded to include two new initiatives, the Veterans Workforce Transition Day and Educator Professional Development Day, as well as a careers day which will allow hundreds of WA students to explore job pathways across defence-related fields.
RSL WA and Legacy WA’s Better Together Ball will be the feature defence industry gala dinner for IODS 2026. The opportunity to support the WA veteran community at this philanthropic event is open to all Western Australians and visitors, with proceeds raised returned to provide vital support for programs that enhance the wellbeing of veterans and families of veterans across the state.
Robert Dougherty
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