• ADM AUKUS Pillar II Conference 2025

    19 February, Canberra

Overview

The ADM AUKUS Pillar II conference will concentrate on deepening technological collaboration between Australia, the United Kingdom and, the United States with a primary emphasis on advancing military capabilities through emerging technologies. It will explore how trilateral cooperation can advance the use of artificial intelligence, hypersonics, cyber capabilities, robotics, machine learning, quantum technologies, and more. This gathering of defence leaders, policymakers, industry and academia will facilitate discussions on integrating new technologies into defence operations, joint development, integrated supply chains and building a cohesive strategy to maximise the benefits of advanced technology for all partners.

Sponsors

Host Partner

Exhibitors

Speakers


David Nockels
First Assistant Secretary Defence Trade, Regulation and Industrial Collaboration, Department of Defence


Steve Moore
First Assistant Secretary AUKUS Advanced Capabilities, Department of Defence


Robert Dane
Chief Executive Officer,
Ocius

Welcome Reception | 30 October 2024

18:00 – 19:00

AGENDA | 31 October 2024

8:50

OPENING |Opening remarks from the Chair

9:00

Keynote | Enhancing Defence capability through AUKUS

  • Advancements in next-generation weapons technology
  • Integrating AI into Defence capability
  • Collaboration and interoperability with AUKUS partners

Steve Moore, First Assistant Secretary AUKUS Advanced Capabilities, Department of Defence

9:30

Keynote | Defence industry collaboration and innovation under AUKUS Pillar II

  • Key programs and partnerships aimed at advancing defence industry opportunities
  • International engagement and market access
  • Regulatory frameworks and challenges

David Nockels, First Assistant Secretary Defence Trade, Regulation and Industrial Collaboration, Department of Defence

10:00

Panel Discussion | Enhancing our technological edge

  • Major challenges in research, development, and innovation for Australian Defence manufacturers
  • Workforce issues impacting future growth
  • What excites us most about AUKUS?

Matt Hill, CEO, Hypersonix Launch Systems
Dr Navinda Kottege, Research Director, CSIRO’s Data 61
William Infante, Technology Innovation Lead, Navantia Australia

10:45

Morning Tea and Networking Break

11:15

Military Innovation and Research: Shaping the Future of Defence with Advanced Technologies

  • Exploring the impact of AI, autonomous systems and space capabilities on modern Defence strategies
  • Investment and collaboration between Defence, academia and industry
  • How innovation in military technology can improve resource utilisation and readiness
  • Global partnerships in research and innovation

Lee Goddard, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Missile Corporation

11:35

Taking a Truly Sovereign Approach to Defence Procurement

  • Adopting the Future Made in Australia policy for Defence acquisition
  • Enhancing sovereign defence capability through local prime contractors
  • How local companies are best- equipped to steer large Defence contracts
  • Fundraising strategies for Australian defence businesses

Oleg Vornik, CEO, DroneShield

11:55

Panel Discussion | Workforce challenges arising from AUKUS

  • 20,000 jobs. What’s the breakdown and where will the workers come from?
  • Delivering tailored education, training, and skilling for submarine workforce
  • Developing the pipeline of highly skilled STEM graduates

Anna Murray, President, AIDN NSW

12:30

Lunch

13:00

Panel Discussion | Research and academia’s role in the success of AUKUS Pillar II

  • Importance of R&D in driving innovation and technological development
  • Universities and research institutions involvement in defence capability
  • Bilateral agreements and collaboration with partners
  • Funding and support for research

Prof Peter Schubel. Executive Director – Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences, University of Southern Queensland
Dr Usman Mohammed, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO’s Data 61

13:40

Export opportunities under AUKUS Pillar II

  • Improving the resilience of defence supply chains
  • Enhancing Australia’s manufacturing capability through technology transfers, talent sharing and streamlined regulation
  • Broadening access to global supply chains

Anamika Mishra, Director, Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Austrade

14:00

Afternoon Tea & Networking Break

14:30

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS |

The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong, Minister for Industry and Trade

15:00

Space and its strategic role in AUKUS Pillar II

  • How will space assets support and contribute to AUKUS Pillar II objectives?
  • Enhancing Space Domain Awareness
  • Integrating emerging technologies into space operations
  • Challenges for joint operation and interoperability in the space domain

David Ball, Regional Director – Australia & New Zealand, Lockheed Martin Space

15:25

Panel Discussion | Bolstering cyber capabilities and enhanced collaboration through AUKUS Pillar II

  • What is the current state of cyber threats and the strategic significance of improving cyber capability
  • Government – Industry partnerships
  • The importance of cyber capability as a modern warfare domain
  • Ethical and legal considerations

Tony Nicholls, Director AUKUS Space Defence, CGI Technologies
Dr Surya Nepal, Senior Principal Research Scientist. CSIRO’s Data 61

16:10 

End of Conference and Networking Drinks

16:20

Closing remarks from the Chair

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

The ADM NSW Defence Summit presents a unique opportunity to showcase your organisation’s capabilities to an engaged high-level audience. To enquire about the sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available at this event in Hobart, please contact:

Andrew Sinkovich
Sponsorship & Exhibition Sales Manager
e: Andrew.Sinkovich@informa.com.au
t: 02 9080 4308

Pricing

*SME is defined as organisation with fewer than 200 employees worldwide, including parent company, regardless of structure.
**Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing info@informa.com.au.

Packages Standard Rate
Standard $1,495 + GST
SME Defence Contractors $795 + GST

Venue

Swissôtel Sydney
68 Market St,
Sydney NSW 2000

Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.

Event Code Of Conduct

We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.

Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.

We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.

To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.