South Australia’s defence industry has answered the call to showcase the best of what the state has to offer at this month’s international maritime exhibition Indo Pacific 2022, starting in Sydney tomorrow.

The South Australia – The Defence State stand will host its largest contingent ever, with 20 companies presenting displays and a further 30 on board as roving exhibitors.

The South Australian defence research and education sector will also be strongly represented, with TAFE SA and the three universities, The University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of South Australia, having a presence on the stand, along with the Defence Innovation Partnership.

Chief Executive Richard Price said Defence SA received expressions of interest from more than 60 companies to attend this year’s event, a clear indication of the state’s capability and readiness for upcoming complex naval shipbuilding programs.

“South Australia is the Defence State and national centre for major surface combatant and submarine continuous build programs, as well as emerging maritime defence technologies,” Mr Price said.

“South Australia’s defence industry has been winning and delivering the nation’s most complex and dynamic defence projects for more than 20 years.

“With more than $50 billion in maritime projects due to occur in South Australia, our defence industry is primed and ready to play a crucial role in bringing these projects to life.

“Indo Pacific is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the cutting-edge capabilities and expertise of the South Australian defence sector and for local industry to connect with world-class defence suppliers in the global supply chain for current and upcoming naval shipbuilding and defence projects.”

APC Technology is one of the companies whose expertise will be showcased on The Defence State stand, returning for the seventh time.

Managing Director Scott Begbie said the company is eager to reconnect with primes, SMEs and defence personnel, and learn how to best support Defence in a post-pandemic future.

“Pacific is an ideal platform to promote our capabilities and how we can help overcome the significant issue of lagging offshore supply chains,” Mr Begbie said.

“Creating global partnerships is a key strategy we are fully committed to and continue to pursue. In 2022, we already have plans in place to grow our strategic alliances in the UK with existing and new partnerships.”

Indo Pacific 2022 is the only maritime exposition of its kind in the Indo Pacific region, offering an unparalleled concentration of Defence and civil decision makers, Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, Prime contractors, SMEs and universities and research organisations. The 2019 event attracted more than 650 exhibitors from 22 nations.

Visit the South Australia – The Defence State stand in Hall 3, Stand 3L6.

Find out more and view a full list of exhibitors on the South Australia – The Defence State stand at defencesa.com/indo-pacific