South Australia’s defence industry will present a powerful show of innovation and expertise at this year’s Avalon 2023 from 28 February – 5 March 2023.

The largest-ever contingent of local defence and space companies will be represented on the South Australia – The Defence State stand at Avalon 2023, showcasing defence capabilities across information warfare, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Joined by the state’s three universities and the Defence Innovation Partnership – the South Australian Government’s catalyst for defence-relevant research – this year’s delegation will demonstrate the innovation and expertise being nurtured locally to build the nation’s sovereign capabilities across the defence and space domains.

South Australia is fast establishing as the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) operational hub for information warfare, with leading capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare operated and supported from the Edinburgh Defence Precinct.

Over the next two years, the precinct will be at the heart of operations supporting key aircraft and infrastructure, including the Triton Unmanned Aircraft System, P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft, Peregrine aircraft and the Jindalee Operational Radar Network.

Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price said The Defence State team was looking forward to returning to Avalon stronger than ever, following the event’s hiatus since 2019.

“This year’s Defence State delegation represents the largest contingent we have led to Avalon – 54 exhibitors – up from 28 defence organisations that joined us at the 2019 event,” Mr Price said.

“This is indicative of the strength and momentum that has been building across South Australia’s defence and space industries.

“Already providing critical electronic warfare support to Australia’s naval, air and land forces from the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, South Australia’s defence industry is a leader in advanced manufacturing capability, boasting a long and proud history of contributing to the supply chains of some the Australia’s most complex Defence projects.

“Our forward-thinking space community is also delivering space-derived services and products to customers that can support next generation defence technologies.”

Airspeed Pty Ltd is one of the companies returning to the South Australia – The Defence State stand at Avalon. The company will be displaying a prototype of its Information Warfare Training Pod at Avalon, with Business Development Manager Steve Jenkins preparing to showcase Airspeed’s design and manufacturing capability to international defence and space customers.

“We see a very bright future for South Australia’s defence and space industries, particularly in the growth of the space sector and space vehicle launch,” he said.

“The state’s defence and space industry members are very fortunate to have close access to the Woomera Test Range facilities allowing local industry the ability to develop and test products.

“Airspeed is taking full advantage of this opportunity to quickly and efficiently test and demonstrate our offerings to our Defence customers.”

A global leader in passive radar systems, Silentium Defence will also be joining the South Australia – The Defence State stand. Set to display a third generation model of its MAVERICK Passive radar system for air and land tactical surveillance, the company is also excited to share an update on the data its Oculus Observatory is delivering to customers today.

Silentium Defence Chief eXperience Officer Simon Palumbo said attending Avalon 2023 will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the important role defence and space SMEs have to play right now.

“South Australia is home to a unique ecosystem of innovative SMEs, Defence Primes, integrators and academics with proven experience and agility to move fast, build lean and deliver capability into acquisition at the rate of relevance the environment demands,” he said.

“Avalon provides an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with customers, to ensure we continue to build products that deliver value and maintain relevance – helping them to protect what matters most.”

South Australian companies will showcase a broad range of expertise and capability at Avalon 2023, from electronic warfare specialists and passive radar systems to component designers and advanced manufacturers.

Visit the South Australia – The Defence State stand at Stand 3G24, Hall 3 at Avalon 2023.

Find out more and view a full list of exhibitors on the South Australia – The Defence State stand.