iscover
Western Australia’s cutting-edge defence industry will take centre stage at one of the world’s largest defence expos, with Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia set to lead a local delegation to the United Kingdom next month.
More than 20 WA companies will travel to London for the Defence and Security Equipment International conference, running from 9–12 September, to showcase homegrown innovation and strengthen links to allied supply chains.
The mission will also provide opportunities for WA businesses to meet with senior defence leaders, including the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and Royal Navy First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE RM.
Among the companies exhibiting is Greenroom Robotics, which recently secured approval to export its advanced artificial intelligence navigation and situational awareness software to the UK and the United States.
Minister Papalia will also travel to France for high-level talks with NATO officials to explore how WA industry can contribute to strengthening defence manufacturing across Europe.
Minister Papalia said the mission would help cement WA’s role in supporting the AUKUS partnership while boosting the state’s economy.
“My ambition is to grow WA’s defence sector to become the state’s second-largest industry after mining,” Minister Papalia said. “We want to create generations of jobs for Western Australians and diversify the state’s economy while offsetting the cyclical nature of the resources sector.”
Minister Papalia added, “Western Australia has some incredible businesses and the technology created by Greenroom Robotics right here in WA is already having a global impact and helping to strengthen the AUKUS alliance.”
The technology, which can turn any vessel into an autonomous, AI-enabled platform, is already being used by the Royal Australian Navy, Austal, EGS Survey, and UK-based SubSea Craft, and has been successfully trialled by the US Department of Defense.
