December 2025 newsletter
Ship's company of HMAS Bathurst (II), HMAS Albany and HMAS Childers line the upper decks during the decommissioning ceremony held at HMAS Coonawarra, Northern Territory. Defence 2025.
As 2025 draws to a close, DefenceNT reflects on a year marked by momentum, partnerships and progress.
A major highlight was NT Defence week 2025, which once again brought together industry, defence, academia and partners to engage on capability needs, sovereign industrial readiness and opportunities across the Indo-Pacific region. Complementing these local engagement opportunities, DefenceNT led industry delegations to the Avalon Airshow and the Indo pacific international maritime exposition, ensuring NT companies were visible, connected and positioned to pursue emerging opportunities in the land, air and maritime domains. There were also 2 international delegations to Pearl Harbor, to further build relationships between the NT’s construction sector and US government and industry.
The role of DefenceNT has been elevated with the appointment of our first general manager, Mr Jimmy Kiploks. This reflects the growing importance of DefenceNT in shaping whole-of-government efforts to support defence and industry across the NT.
Planning is already underway for 2026, with early coordination across government, industry and regional partners to align events, priorities and investment with Australian, US and broader partner objectives in our region. As the strategic environment continues to evolve, DefenceNT remains committed to enabling capability development, facilitating industry growth and strengthening partnerships that contribute to a secure, resilient and connected Northern Territory.
AUSMIN 2025 reinforced expanded Australia–US defence cooperation, including increased US rotational forces, enhanced northern base upgrades, and deeper missile co-production and AUKUS integration. For the Northern Territory, these commitments translate into heightened defence investment, significant infrastructure improvements, a larger allied presence, and an elevated role as a critical strategic hub in Australia’s Indo-Pacific posture.
We look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead.
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NT Defence week 2026 will be held in Darwin from 27 April to 1 May 2026, showcasing the Northern Territory’s strategic role in defence, industry capability, and international partnerships.
Designed to deepen engagement between defence, industry, and Indo-pacific partners, while showcasing new opportunities for collaboration across the Territory, this year’s theme "Northern Capability, National Defence" underscores how the Territory’s strategic location, infrastructure, and industry capability strengthen the nation’s defence posture and resilience.
The Australian Defence Magazine’s Northern Australia Defence Summit will run 28 to 29 April 2026. The summit focuses on strategic policy and high-level defence industry dialogue, with the NT Defence week program showcasing industry capability, facilitating trade and investment discussions.
As a highlight of NT Defence week, The Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Defence Industry shine a spotlight on the businesses driving capability, innovation, and growth across the Northern Territory’s defence sector. These awards celebrate organisations that go above and beyond—strengthening local industry, supporting Defence operations, and contributing to the Territory’s strategic importance.
The launch highlighted the Territory’s commitment to recognising local defence industry excellence, with NT Defence week and the Chief Minister’s Awards unveiled alongside the AIDN Young Achievers Awards to showcase the strength of the NT’s defence workforce and industry capability.
To learn more about NT Defence week and the Chief Minister’s Awards for excellence on the Defence industry.
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NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, with Thales Australia's Roy Spurway and Ashley Challis, 2025 winners of the Large Business category.The Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Defence Industry shine a spotlight on the businesses driving capability, innovation, and growth across the Northern Territory’s defence sector. These awards celebrate organisations that go above and beyond strengthening local industry, supporting defence operations, and contributing to the Territory’s strategic importance.
Nominate a business and be recognised as a leader in excellence, innovation, and impact within the NT’s defence industry. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, elevate your profile, and highlight the role you play in building a stronger, more resilient Defence in the North.
Award categories
- Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence in the Defence Industry - large business: honouring a large business that demonstrates overall excellence in the defence sector.
- Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence in the Defence Industry - small business: celebrating a small business with a big impact on the defence industry.
- Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence in the Defence Industry - indigenous business: recognising an Indigenous business making significant contributions to the defence industry.
Nominations close 27 February 2026. To find out more, go to the Have Your Say website.
Finalists will receive 2 tickets to attend the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) NT Awards and Gala Dinner where the awards will be presented by Chief Minister, the Hon Lia Finocchiaro MLA.
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With an expected increase in national and international participation, NT Defence Week 2026 offers a unique platform for organisations to strengthen their visibility, connect with key decision-makers, and demonstrate their commitment to supporting defence capability and industry growth in Northern Australia.
A range of sponsorship packages are available, providing opportunities for branding, engagement, thought leadership, and tailored partnership benefits across the week’s events and activities.
To request a sponsorship prospectus, email DefenceNT at defencent@nt.gov.au.
We look forward to partnering with industry to make NT Defence week 2026 the most impactful program yet.
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Since 2022, the defence base services transformation program has been redesigning next-generation contracts to deliver coordinated maintenance, support and minor capital works across the entire defence estate. This includes bases, training ranges, properties and built assets.
Service stream has recently been awarded the property and asset Services contract, covering 117 defence sites and facilities across the Northern Territory and South Australia.
From February 2026, service stream will deliver integrated work programs for aerodrome operations, land management, estate upkeep and estate management services across defence training areas and ranges.
Darwin local, Aaron McMahon has been appointed Industry Engagement Manager SA and NT. He can be contacted directly on aaron.mcmahon@servicestream.com.au.
For more information on contract capabilities or to register your business’s interest, go to the Service Stream website.
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The Commodity Management Centre manages the Commodity Reform Program 4th Party Logistics (4PL) contract, held by Toll Remote Logistics, which provides defence with a managed sourcing and supply chain solution for commercial off-the-shelf general stores inventory style products - known as commodities.
The 4PL contract was established to enable defence to:
- better leverage its buying power
- enable more efficient procurement for in-scope commodities
- improve supply chain resilience by increasing the ease through which businesses could supply in-scope products to defence.
Defence users access the 4PL catalogue using a contemporary e-commerce style interface, known as supply marketplace. Toll ensures that items within the catalogue have been competitively sourced from suppliers who have executed an Master Product Supply Agreement (MSPA).
The whole program enables an enterprise-wide capability that harnesses defence’s total buying power. This means supply marketplace serves as defence’s one-stop-shop for commodity procurement - offering the entire defence enterprise access to a board supplier network. Localised metric’s are also managed within the database to ensure local businesses are listed first as providers.
Benefits to suppliers
The 4PL contract presents opportunities for Australian businesses - including SMEs who supply products that fit the program scope to do business with Defence in a marketplace which is dynamic and genuinely competitive. They can join or leave at any time provided they can meet the requirements of the MSPA, they don’t have to wait for cyclical panel arrangements to go to market.
Benefits are:
- access to quote at any time on any product in the catalogue (over 10,000 products)
- single point of contact for quoting and order processing
- easier access to transact with Defence – Toll comes to suppliers with new product opportunities as Defence expands the catalogue.
Contact Commodity Management Centre for more information at cmc.orders@defence.gov.au.
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Submissions to the 2026 Australian defence export catalogue are now open.
The Australian defence export catalogue supports Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base – a key priority outlined in the 2024 Defence Industry Development Strategy and National Defence Strategy.
Currently in its 9th edition, the catalogue highlights export-ready products and services from more than 336 companies across every state and territory in Australia, and is available in hard copy, online and via the mobile app.
Submissions for the 2026 edition of the Australian Defence Export Catalogue can be lodged via the online web portal until 23:59 AEDT, 16 January 2026. All proposed exports of military and dual use goods will be assessed under Australian export controls legislation.
Information on eligibility criteria and the submission process can be found by visiting the Australian Defence Export Catalogue website on the Australian Government's Defence website.
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AusTender is free to use and where you can find Australian Government opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts award announcements.
BenchOn access opportunities with government agencies and Primes through BenchOn Industry Portals.
ICN Gateway Australia and New Zealand’s largest network of suppliers and projects.
SAM.Gov the official US government system for contracting opportunities and contract award reports.
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Maritime Skills and Training Initiative (MSTI) program
The MSTI program provides access to berths for seafarer cadets and trainees to complete required sea time for STCW certification. The initiative supports recommendations of the Strategic Fleet Taskforce and is expected to assist approximately 20 trainees each year.
Close Date: 23 December 2025
RFT: Defence Capability Support Panel
Defence seeks responses to establish the Defence Capability Support Panel, consolidating several existing standing offer panels. Required capability areas include engineering, technical, logistics, digital engineering, defence capability services, and defence security services.
Close Date: 5 January 2026
GeoPanel Refresh: Category 4C-HIPP Client Representative/Quality Assurance Services
Defence is establishing subcategory 4C for HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP) Client Representative/Quality Assurance (CRQA) Services under the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) Geospatial Goods and Services Panel (GeoPanel). The CRQA services are required for work undertaken through the AGO Maritime Geospatial Branch HIPP Panel.
Industry Briefing: 12 January 2026, 1400hrs AEDST via Microsoft Teams
RFQ: STEM L2 Very Small Training UAS
The Australian Air Force Cadets seeks an affordable, sovereign, very small UAS (2 kg or less) for training, display, and surveying tasks. This UAS is not to be operated by Defence.
Close Date: Not specified
ATM: LCD-25-0089 – Low Cost Massed Fires (LCMF) Solution
Defence requires a ground-launched LCMF solution capable of achieving massed effects out to 80 km+ in all weather, day or night.
Close Date: Not specified (Capability demonstrations scheduled for Q2 2026)
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The grants and programs finder is the Commonwealth 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 in expanding to meet Defence capability needs and join global Defence industry supply chains.
Current information on available grant programs can be located at defence.gov.au.
Industry Growth Program offers
The program provides an Advisory Service for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects that are within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and help build Australia’s manufacturing capability for the future. Industry Growth Program.
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 click here Grants and funding | Australian Submarine Agency.
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