Susan Close MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Defence and Space Industries

Nick Champion MP
Minister for Trade and Investment

A powerful line-up of South Australia’s leading defence and space companies are showcasing our state’s aerospace and defence capability at Avalon 2023.

Returning after a four-year break, the premier defence and aerospace expo is on at Avalon Airport, Victoria, until 5 March.

A record 54 local defence and space organisations will participate on this year’s South Australia – The Defence State stand, hosted by Defence SA.

Local businesses are joined by the state’s three universities and the Defence Innovation Partnership – the South Australian Government’s catalyst for defence-relevant research – showcasing the state’s defence, space and research capabilities to decision makers from around the globe.

South Australia provides critical support to Australia’s aerospace programs, with the Edinburgh Defence Precinct fast establishing as the Australian Defence Force’s operational hub for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

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.

The state’s defence industry is also a leader in advanced manufacturing capability contributing to the supply chains of some of the nation’s most critical Defence projects and is home to a growing space community that is delivering space-derived services and products to support next generation defence technologies.

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

View a full list of exhibitors on the South Australia – The Defence State stand.

Quotes attributable to Susan Close

The calibre of South Australian companies participating in this year’s Avalon pavilion demonstrates the cutting-edge capability, adaptability and strong record of collaboration and innovation that South Australia is renowned for.

South Australian companies are already contributing to the largest, most complex Defence projects in our nation’s history.

Avalon 2023 will help foster new partnerships, connecting South Australian companies to local and international supply chains and ensuring our industry is in the best possible position to build sovereign capabilities across the defence and space domains.

Quotes attributable to Nick Champion

South Australia is the best place in the world to live, work and invest and that reputation continues to attract defence projects to call our State home.

It’s no surprise a record number of local companies’ technology will be at this year’s event.

These companies have set up shop in our State and they represent the best in advanced manufacturing and technology across the world.

This is another opportunity to showcase our leadership in defence, space, and research capabilities, while continuing to attract global investors and fuel growth.

Quotes attributable to Silentium Defence Chief eXperience Officer Simon Palumbo

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 a rate of relevance the environment demands.

There has never been a more important time to be doing what we do here in South Australia’s defence and space industries.

Quotes attributable to Airspeed Business Development Manager Steve Jenkins

Avalon is an important opportunity for Airspeed to showcase its design and manufacturing capabilities to both the Australian and international defence industries.

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.