August 2026 newsletter

Over the last month, the Northern Territory's central role in Australia's defence posture was highlighted by Exercise Pitch Black 2026 demonstrating the north's capacity to support complex multinational air combat operations.

DefenceNT delivered the first briefing to the Northern Territory industry delegation ahead of Land Forces 2026 in October. The session provided delegates with information to support effective industry engagement and business partnerships.

Expressions of interest are now open to join the Northern Territory industry delegation to Avalon Australian International Airshow 2027, creating new opportunities to showcase Territory capability and build strategic connections.

Read this issue to stay up to date on key Defence announcements, upcoming industry events, and relevant business and engagement opportunities across the evolving defence landscape.

^{Image courtesy of Australian Government Defence}
Exercise Pitch Black 2026 concluded after 3 weeks of intensive air combat training across Northern Australia, bringing together more than 2,500 personnel and 100 aircraft from 21 nations.
Operating primarily from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, the exercise showcased the Northern Territory's strategic importance as a hub for international defence cooperation and training.
Beyond its defence objectives, Pitch Black generated significant engagement with the local community, attracting more than 30,000 attendees to the Mindil Beach Flying Display and 25,500 visitors to the RAAF Base Darwin Open Day. More than 2,200 Territory students also participated in education and community activities alongside visiting defence personnel.
The exercise also highlighted the critical role Territory businesses play in sustaining major defence activities, from inbound logistics to supply chain support, helping to deliver larger exercises across the Northern Territory.
^{Image courtesy of Australian Government Defence}
The Department of Defence – Defence Science and Technology Group has released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking existing and emerging technologies to support future Defence lighterage capability. Ship-to-shore connectivity, or lighterage, has been identified as a priority area for Defence's littoral manoeuvre requirements.
The RFI takes a broad view of lighterage, welcoming responses covering vessels, vehicles, bottom-stabilised or supported solutions, bridging systems, ramps, floating piers, causeways or other novel concepts and enabling technologies capable of achieving the required wet gap crossing effect.
To register your interest in the Industry Briefing and Innovation Day, go to the AusTender website.
Closes on 30 September 2026.
Defence is progressing the Facilities to Support AIR6500 Integrated Air and Missile Defence Command and Control (Package 1) project at RAAF Base Darwin, creating a significant upcoming opportunity for industry.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, a Head Contractor Request for Tender valued at approximately $250 million to $280 million is anticipated to be released through AusTender in Q3 2026. The project will deliver new operational facilities, vehicle shelters and supporting infrastructure for the 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit.
Defence is undertaking community consultation, including public information sessions in Darwin on 2 September 2026.
- 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm at Darwin Innovation Hub, 1/48–50 Smith Street, Darwin City
- 6pm to 8pm at DoubleTree by Hilton, 116 The Esplanade, Darwin City
Given the project's Zone 5 Secure Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) requirements, businesses interested in participating should consider reviewing their Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) requirements early.
For more information, read Facilities to Support AIR6500 – Integrated Air and Missile Defence Command and Control on the Australian Government Defence website.
With just 5 weeks until the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2026, the Northern Territory delegation is preparing to showcase the Territory's strategic advantages and local industry capability to Defence and industry stakeholders.
More than 30 delegates attended the first industry briefing on 11 August 2026. The session provided participants with insights into the event program and opportunities to strengthen their networking, engagement and business development approaches ahead of the expo.
The next industry briefing will be held on 8 September, continuing preparations to help Territory businesses maximise their participation and engagement opportunities at Land Forces 2026.
^{Image courtesy of Australian Government Defence}
DefenceNT is seeking expressions of interest from Northern Territory businesses, peak bodies and industry organisations to join the Territory industry delegation to the Avalon Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport, Victoria from 23 to 28 February 2027.
Avalon is Australia's premier aerospace and defence exposition and the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, providing a unique platform for industry engagement and collaboration.
The delegation will showcase Territory industry capability and capacity, promote current and future investment opportunities and strengthen engagement with Defence stakeholders, international primes and supply chain partners.
Avalon 2027 provides an opportunity to position the Northern Territory as a strategic location for defence training, operations and air power projection, while supporting growth in local sustainment and maintenance capability.
Expressions of interest are now open. To access the submission guidelines and apply, read Join the NT Delegation.
Expressions of interest close at close of business on 11 September 2026.
BAE Systems Australia's Global Access Program is delivering the Navigating Defence Series, designed to help businesses understand the requirements and opportunities associated with supplying to the defence sector.
Topics include working with Defence primes, estimating and pricing, supplier readiness and assurance and other key elements of defence industry participation.
The training is suitable for both existing defence suppliers and businesses seeking to enter the defence industry.
Date: Tuesday 22 September 2026
Location: Alice Springs
To register for the Navigating Defence Series, go to the Humanitix website.
The Office of the Defence Industry Support has released its monthly snapshot of Australia’s defence industry, designed to keep you informed and connected to what’s happening across the sector.
Each edition brings together key Defence announcements, upcoming industry events, and relevant business and engagement opportunities in one easy-to-navigate update.
Read the August Edition on the Australian Government Defence website.
This section showcases upcoming Defence-focused events and seminars delivered by industry associations, media and partner organisations. It is intended to support business engagement and knowledge sharing across the defence sector. Readers are encouraged to follow the links provided for full event details, registration information and updates.
Industry Capability Network (ICN): ICN upcoming events
Master Builders Northern Territory (MBNT): MBNT events
Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce (Chamber NT): NT Chamber events
Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN): NTIBN events
AMDA Foundation Limited: AMDA Foundation Limited events
Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN): AIDN events
Consult Australia: Consult Australia events
Charles Darwin University: CDU events
Engineers Australia: Events
The army and Northern Territory are strategically aligned. Now move to action
Send the data centres north
Northern Australia needs systems thinking, not more standalone projects
Housing policy should serve Australia’s strategic interests
Australia should watch drone development to its north
EV Charging Management System (CMS)
The Department of Defence's Defence Support and Reform Group (DSRG) is seeking suppliers to establish an EV Charging Management System capability to support the monitoring, control and management of electric vehicle charging across the Defence estate through this tender.
Closes on 18 September 2026.
For more information, go to the AusTender website.
The Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Panel
The DSRG is calling for tenders to establish the Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Standing Offer Panel, providing a streamlined procurement pathway for the acquisition of seaboats and small watercraft. The panel will support Defence and other Commonwealth agencies by providing access to experienced Australian suppliers capable of designing, manufacturing, integrating and supporting watercraft capabilities.
Closes on 2 November 2026.
For more information, go to the AusTender website.
AusTender
Free to use and where you can find Australian Government opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts award announcements.
For more information, go to the AusTender website.
BenchOn
Where you can access opportunities with government agencies and Primes through BenchOn Industry Portals.
To find out more, go to the BenchOn website.
Gateway by ICN
Where you can find Australia and New Zealand’s largest network of suppliers and projects.
For more information, go to the Gateway by ICN website.
SAM.gov
The official US government system for contracting opportunities and contract award reports.
To learn more, go to the SAM.gov website.
The grants and programs finder is the Australian Government’s central website for all grant and funding products available throughout Australia.
To find out more, go to the Australian Government's Business website.
Defence industry grants
Defence provides a range of grants to support industry. These grants assist Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in expanding to meet Defence capability needs and join global Defence industry supply chains.
For current information on available grant programs, go to the Defence website.
Industry Growth Program offers
The program provides an advisory service for start-ups and SMEs undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects that are within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund and help build Australia’s manufacturing capability for the future.
For more information, go to the Industry Growth Program website.
Australian Submarine Agency
Over the next 30 years, the Australian Government will invest $30 billion into Australia’s Industrial Base for industry, infrastructure and workforce development in support of AUKUS.
For more information on grants and funding, go to the Australian Submarine Agency website.