Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition

Defence to Establish New Agency for Capability Delivery The Australian Government has announced major structural reforms aimed at improving the way defence capabilities are acquired and sustained. A new Defence Delivery Agency will be created to consolidate and streamline existing functions, following a record increase in defence spending. The agency will bring together three current groups: the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group, and the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group. It will operate with its own budget and report directly to Ministers, with a focus on delivering projects efficiently and strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base. A National Armaments Director will lead the new agency, advising on acquisition strategies and overseeing delivery of approved projects. Defence will also centralise capability development functions to improve prioritisation and accountability for new proposals. Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy said, "The increasing complexity of Defence capabilities, systems and platforms requires a systematic rethink of the capability development and delivery system." "This is about setting Defence up for success so we can modernise the ADF in line with the National Defence Strategy, while ensuring we spend taxpayers’ money wisely," Minister Conroy said. “The new agency will help ensure our industrial base is resilient, innovative and aligned with our strategic priorities." Since May 2022, the Government has provided the biggest increase in defence spending in Australia’s peacetime history, with what is now an additional $70 billion over the next decade. This includes record spending on acquisition and sustainment. Work on designing and implementing the new agency will begin immediately, including consultation with industry stakeholders. Defence says the move will support faster delivery of capabilities, more accurate cost estimates, and clearer oversight of major projects. 📸 Minister Pat Conroy meeting with defence industry representatives at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition.

Lieutenant Jordan King was selected as the 2025 recipient of the RADM Holthouse Scholarship at Indo Pacific earlier this month. Congratulations Jordan!

See what Babcock Australia & New Zealand got up to at Indo Pacific this year in its highlights video below!

A major milestone has been achieved for NUSHIP Hunter with the successful factory acceptance test of the towed body and towed array handling systems for its Sonar 2087 suite. Conducted at the Thales Defence Mission Systems facility in Brest, France, the testing confirmed the systems’ performance and readiness, with representatives from Thales France, Thales UK, Thales Australia and the Royal Australian Navy in attendance. Sonar 2087, the British‑developed variant of the Thales CAPTAS‑4 system, combines active and passive sonar arrays to detect, locate and classify submarines at ranges up to 60 kilometres. Offering 360‑degree situational awareness and real‑time torpedo alerts, it will significantly enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s anti‑submarine warfare capability. Integrated into the Hunter Class frigates, this advanced sonar forms part of a broader suite of sensors and weapons designed to deliver a potent undersea warfare capability. With delivery scheduled for early 2026, the systems will be integrated into the Hunter Class build program, marking a key step towards the frigate’s entry into service in the early 2030s. 📷 Australian Department of Defence

QinetiQ Australia and Forcys have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Australia’s sovereign capability in maritime assurance. This partnership combines QinetiQ’s global expertise in defence Test & Evaluation, mission assurance and range management with Forcys’ world-leading underwater sensing and communication technologies. Together, we will develop and operate advanced tools that assure how maritime platforms and technologies perform – from early design through to real-world use. As Corry Neale, Chief Executive Australia, QinetiQ, noted: “This partnership represents a step-change in how we can deliver sovereign maritime assurance for Australia and its partners.” Under the agreement, QinetiQ and Forcys will deliver next-generation deployable underwater ranges and test systems. These capabilities are essential to measure, verify and improve the performance of submarines, autonomous vessels and other undersea technologies – enabling Defence to make faster, better-informed decisions and strengthen readiness in increasingly complex maritime environments. This collaboration supports the Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review and AUKUS Pillar 2 objectives, advancing sovereign industrial capability and enabling Defence to assure complex undersea and multi-domain systems across allied operations. Sean Leydon, Regional Manager Asia Pacific, Forcys, added: “The ability of deployable ranges to track underwater assets with precision will provide the Australian Defence Force with the flexibility to test and evaluate their assets in environments that provide the greatest chance of operational success.”

More than $1 million in grants have now been awarded through AMDA Foundation’s Innovation Program since it began in 2013 — a milestone celebrated at Indo Pacific 2025. The Indo Pacific 2025 Innovation Pitchfest and Awards recognised four outstanding innovators: 🔹Innovation Award: Peter Maidment, CleanSubSea Operations, for the Envirocart in-water hull cleaning system. 🔹Emerging Technology Award: Dr Zourab Brodzeli, PhoenixZ, for the All-Optical Hydrophone OCTOPUZ. 🔹Young Innovator Award: Joshua Wigley, Hyperion Systems, for a Containerised Robotic 3D Printing Cell. 🔹Blue-Sky Thinking Award: Darrell Crawford, Gallipoli Medical Research, for a saliva-based liver disease test. Best Pitch went to Carley Scott OAM, Space CoLAB. Each major award carried a $40,000 grant, with $10,000 awarded for Blue-Sky Thinking. The Innovation Pitchfest and Awards highlight originality, user focus and market potential, and continue to accelerate sovereign capability in Australia’s maritime and defence industry. The Defence Science Institute

At Indo Pacific last week, Babcock Australia & New Zealand showcased its long-standing partnership with Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), giving guests the opportunity to meet the MESHA team, connect with veterans and first responders, and learn more about their vital work. Babcock has supported MESHA, part of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, for a decade and recently extended this commitment under a new two-year Corporate Partnership agreement. This extension enables MESHA to expand into Western Australia, establishing a locally based lived experience workforce for the first time and delivering programs, research and resources to support service personnel and their families. MESHA’s expansion will include pilot programs such as: 🔹GEARS (Group Emotional and Relationship Skills): a 12-week psychoeducation and skills-based course for current and former emergency service personnel and military members. 🔹MindRight and StoryRight: programs designed to support post-service career transition and identity with pride and dignity. 🔹Psychosocial Safety Program: a prevention initiative for new recruits or high-risk units, equipping members with skills to manage mental distress. Program Officer Kathleen Pisani, who served 18 years in the Australian Army, shared how MESHA’s programs provided essential skills and a safe environment during her transition to civilian life. Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland highlighted the importance of supporting service men and women, noting Babcock’s contribution to national security from Western Australia since 2001 and its role sustaining nearly 1,000 jobs statewide. Dr Karen May, Head of The Hospital Research Foundation Group – MESHA, emphasised that the partnership marks a significant step in meeting the growing needs of military and emergency service personnel and their families across Western Australia.

What stood out at Indo Pacific 2025? From future engineers and Bungaree performers to defence SMEs and international representatives, trade visitors shared what made this year’s expo unforgettable. Catch their highlights in the below video and see you in 2027. 📹 Royal Australian Navy, iStaff Pty Ltd, Goldratt UK, Lauren Vellar, Jono Lockwood, Vismay Bhadra

Meet Saronic Technologies, a rising force in defence innovation, designing and manufacturing Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) to meet the demands of modern maritime operations. At Indo Pacific 2025, Vice President Matthew Tracey showcased Saronic’s cutting-edge capabilities and had the rare opportunity to discuss business directly with Australia's Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, Royal Australian Navy. A standout moment at an exceptional event. Saronic’s mission is clear: to redefine maritime superiority for the U.S. and its allies. From Spyglass to Marauder, Saronic’s ASVs are designed to go farther, last longer, and deploy faster - modular, interoperable, and built for scale. Watch the video below to hear Matthew share insights on Saronic’s journey, the opportunities at Indo Pacific, and why events like this are vital for collaboration, innovation, and strategic engagement. #IndoPacific2025

A new research and testing hub at the Australian Maritime College’s Beauty Point campus will accelerate the development of next-generation maritime technology through a partnership with UK-based SubSea Craft. The Research, Development, Innovation and Testing Facility will bring together SubSea Craft’s advanced maritime design expertise with AMC’s research and testing capabilities. Covering approximately 250 square metres with direct waterfront access, the site will include workshops, offices and collaborative spaces to support applied research, trials and product evaluation. “The partnership with SubSea Craft represents another significant step forward in AMC’s vision to create a national Defence, Maritime, Innovation and Design Precinct,” said Mal Wise, Principal of the Australian Maritime College. “It brings industry and academia together in a way that gives our students and staff exposure to the technologies defining the future of maritime operations.” SubSea Craft CEO Carmilla Martin said the new facility would give the company the ideal environment to advance its technology and support its regional growth. “This facility provides the ideal environment for our team to develop, test and refine emerging technologies that enhance operational capability in the most demanding environments,” Ms Martin said. The partnership builds on AMC’s standing as Australia’s leading maritime research and education institution and highlights Tasmania’s growing role in the nation’s defence innovation network. Operations at the new facility are expected to begin in early 2026. #IndoPacific2025 Australian Maritime College