Northern Australia Defence Summit

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.