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Navy leader Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen (Ret’d) AO CSM has been appointed as an Australian military adviser by Clarion Events.
The retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy will provide specialist advisory for UDT Australia, an undersea defence technology conference and exhibition to be held in Adelaide later this year; the first time the popular UDT series will be staged outside of Europe in its 37-year history.
As part of this role, he will also join the UDT Australia steering committee, alongside leading maritime and defence personnel, to develop the inaugural convention and ensure it addresses key priorities across military, industry, government, workforce, and technology.
Steve has dedicated more than four decades to leading complex maritime capability delivery across Defence and industry.
His 40-year career in the Royal Australian Navy spanned major shipbuilding, sustainment and upgrade programs, culminating in his role as head of maritime sustainment from 2022 to 2025.
Following posts in Canberra as head of maritime sustainment and acting deputy secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, Steve has now returned to his home state of South Australia. He is also the director of Arc Fidelis, an independent advisory practice working with Defence and government to strengthen Australia’s defence capability and national resilience.
Steve was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in the military division for distinguished service in the 2026 King’s Birthday honours.
James Samuel, managing director – live events at Clarion Defence and Security, said Steve’s extensive experience and sector leadership will deliver invaluable insights and strengthen UDT’s engagement with the Australian and Asia-Pacific military industry.
“Steve is a proven defence capability leader with rare expertise in shipbuilding, sustainment and governance,” he said.
“His deep understanding of the commercial and technical aspects of naval capability and procurement will reliably inform how we develop and deliver the most relevant programming and opportunities for our senior industry audience.
“Steve is highly respected and well connected in the defence sector, and we are delighted to welcome him as we prepare for UDT Australia in 2026 and beyond.”
Steve joins the UDT Australia steering committee alongside Sharon Wilson, chair (strategic adviser; chair, Defence Innovation Partnership; formerly BAE Systems), Rear Admiral Jon Pentreath (Ret’d) (Royal Navy UK; Comorant Consulting), Commodore Michael Turner (Royal Australian Navy), Libby Day (Defence Teaming Centre), Jessica Hernandez (Defence SA), James Samuel (Clarion Events) and representatives from the Australian Submarine Agency.
Topics to be discussed include the future of defence tech and the investment opportunities linked to key programs, including the two pillars of AUKUS, led by expert speakers in keynote presentations, panel discussions, and technical presentations.
Australia’s federal Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, heads a powerful list of national and international speakers confirmed to address the convention.
Confirmed speakers so far include Minister Conroy, Defence Science and Technology Group chief scientist Professor Tanya Monro, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Bryan Clark, Marine Nationale (French Navy) undersea warfare director Commander Julien Le Roux, Ocius chief executive Robert Dane, Engineers Australia chief engineer Katherine Richards AM CSC, ASC chief capability officer Danielle Bull, KordaMentha defence and national security partner Joshua Rodgers, and Shoal Group head of strategy Dr Graeme Dunk PhD.
UDT Australia will be held in Adelaide from 2–4 December 2026. It will be delivered by Clarion Events in partnership with Defence SA, the Defence Teaming Centre and Business Events Adelaide, with official support from the Royal Australian Navy and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles.
It is anticipated that more than 1,500 invited and verified members across all cohorts of the undersea defence ecosystem will take part in the inaugural program, which will incorporate a conference, exhibition, networking and industry site visits to South Australia’s naval precinct.
Senior military leaders, government representatives, industry experts and researchers will join the conversation on Engineering the Undersea Future, including key challenges and opportunities facing the Indo-Pacific and global undersea industries.
The event will also champion engagement with academia to address growing workforce needs through education, skills and training, and industry development opportunities, with a focus on sustaining the generational, multi-decade pipeline of jobs created through the AUKUS submarine projects.
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