Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy to inform defence industry priorities at ADSTAR 2026

The three-day summit will feature more than 40 sessions across five concurrent streams. The release of the strategy is expected to headline ADSTAR 2026, setting the agenda for Australia’s defence innovation priorities and signalling the next phase of research and innovation in the national security landscape.

The strategy will outline six updated IS&T priorities aligned to the 2026 National Defence Strategy and 2026 Integrated Investment Program, providing a practical roadmap for how Defence will harness emerging technologies in an increasingly contested global environment.

“ADSTAR 2026 is a critical platform for bringing together Defence, industry and academia to align our efforts in the innovation, science and technology space to help accelerate Australia’s asymmetric advantage,” Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said.

“In an increasingly complex strategic environment, strengthening collaboration – both nationally and with our international partners – is essential to ensuring Australia can leverage opportunities to respond to evolving threats.”

More than 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit, including senior Defence leaders, Australian and international government representatives, leading voices from industry, research and academia and delegations from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States

The program will feature a high-profile line-up of Defence and international attendees, including the following:

VIEW ALL

• Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong.
• Chief of the Defence Force Admiral Mark Hammond.
• Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman.
• High commissioner of India to Australia Nagesh Singh,
• High commissioner of Singapore to Australia Anil Kumar Nayar.
• US Department of War Strategic Capabilities Office director Jay Dryer.
• Singapore Ministry of Defence Chief Defence Scientist Peng Yam Tan.
• Defence Technology Agency director and Chief Defence Scientist David Galligan of the New Zealand Department of Defence.
• US Department of War Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies Michael Dodd.
• US Department of War Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology Dr Joseph S Jewell.
• Dr Kazuhiro Horie, vice commissioner and chief technology officer, Japan Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics Agency.

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.