Northern Australia Defence Summit
Hosted by the NT Government, this policy-driven event will look at the opportunities for Australia’s Defence industry in Northern Australia.
28 April 2026 – Summit
29 April 2026 – Half Day ForumsDarwin Convention Centre
The 13th ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit is set to return as part of NT Defence Week 2026, taking place on 28 April 2026.
This year’s expanded two-day format highlights the North’s pivotal role in Australia’s Defence and national security strategy.
Under the theme “Northern Capability – National Defence” the summit will convene Defence leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and SMEs to explore key topics, including:
- Advancing Defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region
- Unlocking economic opportunities through Defence initiatives in Northern Australia.
- Strengthening collaboration with Defence and allied stakeholders
Highlights of the 2026 Summit:
- Senior speakers from Defence, government, and industry
- Insightful panel discussions and keynote sessions on Defence innovation, infrastructure development and delivery and readiness
- Networking opportunities to engage with key decision-makers shaping the region’s Defence future
As a cornerstone event of NT Defence Week, the Summit offers a unique platform to influence, innovate, and invest in Northern Australia’s Defence landscape. Join the conversation shaping the future.
Half Day Forums – 29 April 2026
The second day of the Summit will focus on the importance of littoral operations and contested logistics in Northern Australia. Discussions will address geostrategic threats, advancements in maritime domain awareness, and the challenges of securing supply chains and maintaining operational readiness in remote and competitive environments.
NT Defence Week 2026
The Australian Defence Magazine (ADM) and DefenceNT are once again partnering to deliver NT Defence Week 2026. Northern Australia continues to play a pivotal role in the nation’s strategic posture, with the Territory’s location, infrastructure, and industry capability essential to Australia’s defence and national resilience. Check out the full program here
Speakers
The Hon Lia Finocchiaro
Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
Wouter van Wersch
Executive Vice President and Head of International, Airbus
LTGEN (Ret’d) John Wissler
DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
Dr John Coyne
Director – National Security Program, ASPI
Hughes Boulnois
Chief Executive Officer, AALTO
Michael Crossman
Global Engagement Manager, Austrade
Raelene Lockhorst
Deputy Director – National Security Programs, ASPI
Matt Kirk
Director, Worksec
Jason Miezio
Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
Zoe Chadwick
Chief of Maritime Engineering and Technology, Leidos Australia
Reece Kershaw
DefenceNT Strategy Group,
Northern Territory Government
Tyson Sara
Chief Executive Officer,
CMAX
RADM (Ret’d) Allan du Toit
DefenceNT Strategy Group,
Northern Territory Government
Nicole Spencer
First Assistant Secretary Civil Maritime Capability Division, Australian Border Force
Natasha Stephenson
Senior Commercial Manager, Laing O’Rourke
Andrew Bartlett
Vice President – Above Water Systems, Thales Australia
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Morning Tea Sponsor
Water Bottle Sponsor
Exhibitors
Welcome Reception
Monday 27th April 2026
All times in ACST
Enjoy the picturesque surroundings and gorgeous view of the Darwin horizon at Parliament House as the Chief Minister welcomes attendees to the 11th Annual ADM Northern Australia Defence Summit.
Hosted by: The Hon Lia Finocchiaro, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
17:30 – 19:00 | Main Hall, Parliament House
2026 AGENDA
Conference Day | Tuesday 28 April
09:10
OPENING |Opening remarks from the Chair
Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
09:15
CHIEF MINISTER’S ADDRESS |
The Hon Lia Finocchiaro, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
09:35
GOVERNMENT ADDRESS | Strategic Policy for Regional Stability and Growth
- Northern Australia’s critical role in national defence and as a gateway to the Indo-Pacific
- Addressing regional challenges: Infrastructure, workforce, climate resilience etc.
- Strengthening partnerships with regional and like-minded allies
Luke Gosling OAM, MP, Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia
09:55
KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Adapting to Evolving Regional and Global Security Dynamics
- Priorities for Northern Australia to support Defence’s strategic objectives
- Strengthening Defence capabilities across the North
- Strategic outlook for 2026 and beyond
10:15
INDUSTRY KEYNOTE | High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Capabilities: AALTO’s Innovations and Impact in the Territory
Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President and Head of International, Airbus
Hughes Boulnois, Chief Executive Officer, AALTO
10:35
PANEL | Geostrategic and Regional Security Challenges
- Considering the impact of shifting power balances in the region on Northern Australia
- Addressing emerging challenges such as cyber warfare and climate driven instability
- Deepening collaboration and cooperation with regional partners
LTGEN (Ret’d) John Wissler, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
Dr John Coyne, Director – National Security Program, ASPI
Reece Kershaw, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
Moderator: Tyson Sara, Chief Executive Officer, CMAX
11:05
Welcome to Morning Tea
Senior Representative, Bupa
11:10
Morning Tea & Networking Break
11:40
Building Resilience: Infrastructure Development for Northern Australia’s Strategic Growth
Senior Representative, Sitzler
12:00
Strategic Infrastructure: Enabling Defence Operations and Regional Connectivity
Lachlan Michell, Chief Operating Officer, DCOH
Chris Giannikouris, General Manager – Construction, DCOH
12:20
PANEL | Addressing Workforce Challenges across Northern Australia
- Addressing unique challenges specific to Northern Australia
- Developing strategies to attract, retain and upskill personnel across the defence sector
- Enhancing cross sector collaboration to build a resilient and adaptable workforce
- Government led initiatives to support workforce development
Georgia Davey, President – NT Chamber, AIDN
Natasha Stephenson, Senior Commercial Manager, Laing O’Rourke
Moderator: Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director – National Security Program, ASPI
12:50
Welcome to Lunch
Senior Representative, Service Stream
12:55
Lunch
14:00
The Importance and Operational Potential of Uncrewed Vessels in the Maritime Domain
- The role of uncrewed vessels in enhancing efficiency and surveillance capabilities
- Cost effectiveness and extended operational capability
- Challenges and opportunities from sovereign manufacturing in Australia
Zoe Chadwick, Chief of Maritime Engineering and Technology, Leidos Australia
14:20
PANEL | Developing Maritime Sustainment in the North
- Industry opportunities to access sustainment supply chains
- Innovation in technology and sustainment practices
- RAN, allied and partner operations in the North
- Infrastructure as a key enabler
Stuart Knowles, Territory Coordinator, Northern Territory Government
Georgia Davey, Program Manager, Norsta North & President – NT Chapter, AIDN
Andrew Bartlett, Vice President – Above Water Systems, Thales Australia
Moderator: RADM (Ret’d) Allan du Toit, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
14:50
ABF Northern Operations and Industry Collaboration
- Operational challenges across Northern Australia
- Strengthening partnerships with local industry to tackle emerging threats
- Identifying opportunities for innovation and future requirements
Nicole Spencer, First Assistant Secretary Civil Maritime Capability Division, Australian Border Force
15:10
Welcome to Afternoon Tea
Matt Kirk, Director, Worksec
15:15
Afternoon Tea
15:50
PANEL | Global Opportunities for Northern Australia’s Defence Industry
- Positioning Australia as a trusted partner
- Export opportunities and trends
- Australian Government support to access key markets
Moderator: Michael Crossman, Global Engagement Manager, Austrade
16:25
PANEL | Future Direction for Defence in Northern Australia
- Emerging threats and opportunities in the region
- Considerations for sustainable growth
- Long term vision for defence operations and infrastructure
LTGEN (Ret’d) John Frewen AO, DSC, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
CDRE Johnathan Ley, Director General Force Posture Initiatives, Department of Defence
Moderator: Jimmy Kiploks, General Manager – DefenceNT, Northern Territory Government
17:00
Closing Remarks from Chair
Jason Miezio, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
17:05
End of Conference and Networking Drinks
Littoral Forum
Wednesday 29th April
09:00
Opening Remarks from the Chair
ADM (Ret’d) Allan du Toit, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
09:10
KEYNOTE | Enhancing Coastal and Littoral Security in Northern Australia
- Key challenges and threats in protecting Australia’s northern coast
- Integration of advanced technologies and uncrewed systems in littoral operations
- Strengthening alliances with neighbouring countries for joint littoral initiatives
09:35
Future trends in Littoral Defence Technology
- The growing use of uncrewed aerial, surface and underwater vehicles
- The role of AI, Machine Learning and Advanced Sensors
- Predictive analytics and data analysis
10:00
PANEL | Uncrewed Vessels and Autonomous Systems in Littoral Operations
- Innovations in autonomous systems for persistent surveillance and monitoring
- Detecting undersea threats
- Lowering the cost of sustained operations
10:35
Morning Tea & Networking Break
11:00
Climate Change and Littoral Defence Challenges
- The impact of rising sea levels and extreme weather on coastal regions
- Developing climate resilient defence strategies
- Collaboration between defence, science and industry
11:25
Littoral Resilience and Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Addressing threats to critical coastal infrastructure
- Integrating defence and civilian efforts in infrastructure security
- Developing advanced technologies and surveillance capability
11:50
PANEL | The Role of Partnerships in Littoral Defence
- Regional alliances and cooperation
- Joint exercises and shared intelligence
- What are the emerging threats to littoral environments and how can we work together to tackle these?
Dr John Coyne, Director – National Security Program, ASPI
Jimmy Kiploks, General Manager – DefenceNT, Northern Territory Government
12:30
Closing Remarks from the Chair & Lunch
ADM (Ret’d) Allan du Toit, DefenceNT Strategy Group, Northern Territory Government
Contested Logistics Forum
Wednesday 29th April
12:30
Registration and Lunch
13:30
Opening Remarks from the Chair
Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director – National Security Program, ASPI
13:35
KEYNOTE | Navigating Contested Logistics and Ensuring Resilience in Modern Defence Operations
- Strategies for maintaining supply chain integrity
- Adapting to emerging threats
- Innovative technology and the use of AI
- Strengthening collaboration with allies and industry
MAJGEN Jason Walk, Commander Joint Logistics, Department of Defence
14:00
KEYNOTE | The Future of Contested Logistics
- The strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific for supply chain security
- The evolving nature of logistics in a growingly contested region
- Innovations shaping the future of military and civilian logistics
LTGEN (Ret’d) John Frewen AO, DSC, DefenceNT Strategy Group
14:25
PANEL | Resilient Supply Chains in the Indo-Pacific
- Challenges operating in remote and contested domains
- Building flexibility into supply chains
- Building and developing regional partnerships and alliances
Hank Lutz, Australia Account Manager, Anglicotech
14:50
Afternoon Tea
15:20
PANEL | The Role of Technology in Contested Logistics
- Embedding AI, robotics and autonomous systems in logistics
- Utilising data for decision making
- Overcoming technology barries in difficult environments
15:55
CASE STUDY | Lessons Learned from Ukraine & Iran
- Analysing logistics operations in contested environments
- What was done to increase supply chain resilience?
- What can we do to ensure adaptability?
16:20
PANEL | Partnering for Success in the Indo-Pacific
- Strengthening regional alliance and partnerships
- Utilising technology for partnership such as share logistics platforms, real time data sharing etc.
- Leveraging the expertise of private industry
17:00
Closing Remarks from the Chair & End of Conference
Raelene Lockhorst, Deputy Director – National Security Program, ASPI
Pricing
- SME is organisation with fewer than 200 employees globally
- A local SME is one based in the Northern Territory with fewer than 50 employees
- A conference pass includes admission to each of the sessions, the welcome reception and the post conference drinks
*Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for the ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing [email protected] and ensure you use your business email address.
| Packages | Standard Rate |
| Northern Australia Defence Summit – Standard Industry Rate | $2,495 + GST |
| Northern Australia Defence Summit – SME Rate | $1,695 + GST |
| Northern Australia Defence Summit – Local SMEs Rate | $695 + GST |
| Littoral Forum – Standard Industry Rate | $895 + GST |
| Littoral Forum – SME Rate | $695 + GST |
| Littoral Forum – Local SMEs Rate | $550 + GST |
| Contested Logistics Forum – Standard Industry Rate | $895 + GST |
| Contested Logistics Forum – SME Rate | $695 + GST |
| Contested Logistics Forum – Local SMEs Rate | $550 + GST |
Venue
Darwin Convention Centre
10 Stokes Hill Rd,
Darwin City NT 0800
(08) 8923 9000
Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.
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 – because actions can impact others and everyone has a role to play in getting it right.
Anyone not following these rules or behaving in an unacceptable way will be asked – and expected – to stop doing so immediately and may be removed from the event.
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 Connect 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.