More than 80 companies are set to represent South Australia’s defence industry at the international maritime exhibition, Indo Pacific 2023, in Sydney from 7 to 9 November.
This is the largest delegation Defence SA has hosted at any trade show in its history, indicating the growth momentum of the state’s defence sector, the South Australian government said in a media release.
Defence Industries Minister Susan Close is slated to attend the event to showcase South Australia’s critical role in AUKUS and other defence shipbuilding programs.
“South Australia is the nation’s naval shipbuilding capital, home to a thriving network of defence companies and a world-class research community working at the cutting-edge of maritime technology,” Minister Close said.
“This local know-how will take centre stage at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, as our 80-strong delegation showcases the extent of the state’s advanced manufacturing and defence capabilities,” she added.
South Australia is at the forefront of the most transformative industrial projects in Australia, with the nuclear-powered submarine program.
The state also hosts the construction of the Arafura class offshore patrol vessels and Hunter class frigates, Collins class full-cycle docking and life-of-type extensions, and the Hobart class destroyer combat system upgrade.
Indo Pacific 2023 will serve as a unique platform for South Australia to showcase its industry-leading capabilities and technologies to major partners and decision-makers across the international maritime and naval defence community.
“South Australia has a very strong defence industry capability, working in many domestic and global programs and the opportunities coming in the future will help SA defence industry strengthen and flourish,” said Craig Maynard, general manager of Axiom Precision Manufacturing, one of the state’s representatives at Indo Pacific 2023.
Leading research and education providers in the delegation will demonstrate their cutting-edge innovations and the work being done to grow the nation’s highly skilled naval shipbuilding workforce
Exhibitors from the SA delegation can be found at the event at the South Australia – The Defence State stand. For the full list of participating industry representatives, visit defencesa.com/indo-pacific.
