July 2025 newsletter

Photo: HMS Prince of Wales arrives into the Port of Darwin. CPL Cameron Pegg.

Talisman Sabre 2025 was the largest iteration of the exercise to date, with over 43,000 personnel from 19 nations participating. The exercise featured 297 aircraft and 32 ships, including 2 full carrier strike groups from the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK).

More than 16,000 military personnel and 32 million kilograms of cargo were moved across Australia, putting national infrastructure and logistics to the test.

Key Northern Territory highlights included:

• the arrival of UK’s HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier berthing alongside HMAS Coonawarra
• a historic missile launch, with Mt Bundey and Bradshaw training areas hosting the first Australian test fire of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)
• high-profile visits from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, UK Defence Secretary John Healey, US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, and other senior leaders.

The Northern Territory’s contribution once again reinforced its strategic role in supporting Defence operations and allied cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Photo: participants of the industry tabletop exercise.

DefenceNT, in collaboration with Defence, coordinated an industry tabletop exercise as part of the Talisman Sabre 2025 program. The session explored how Northern Territory industry can better support Australia’s defence mission, now and into the future.

The exercise followed 3 phase formats:

1. Defence outlined future needs across key domains, particularly land, sea and air, highlighting requirements for logistics, warehousing, maintenance, and repair. Discussions focused on timelines, notice periods, and how Defence currently accesses the NT supply chain.
2. Industry groups responded with insight into current capability and surge capacity, mapping who can deliver, how many can scale, and where services are located across the NT.
3. Gap analysis and solutions followed, examining barriers to entry into the supply chain and identifying opportunities for transferable skills, training, infrastructure upgrades, and broader government - industry collaboration.

Participants were invited by Defence and represented peak bodies and industry as a whole, ensuring a coordinated and strategic conversation.

Outcomes from the session will be shared across Defence to inform future planning and capability development in the NT, helping to shape a more resilient, responsive and ready industrial base.

Photo: Defence estate capital and sustainment works program industry briefing November 2024

The July 2025 Defence capital facilities and infrastructure industry briefing outlined several developments relevant to the Northern Territory, with planning work underway that could shape future Defence investment in the region.

Key NT takeaways included:

• a scoping study into maritime berthing capacity and capability across Darwin, Cairns and Sydney is scheduled for Q3 2026, as part of broader planning for the maritime domain.
• Defence confirmed that regional plans are being developed in areas such as north Queensland, with similar planning likely for the Northern Territory in due course, involving collaboration with state and local governments.

While much of the briefing focused on national procurement reforms, including the now-operational major construction panel for $200M+ projects, NT-based contractors and consultants should be alert to emerging opportunities and alignments in estate planning.

For more information on the slides (excluding USFPI content) and for those who missed the briefing session, go to the Australia's Department of Defence website.

Now in its 7th year, Croc Pitch is Northern Australia’s premier start-up competition - where game-changing ideas meet real investment. Hosted annually by the Darwin Innovation Hub, this high-stakes pitch event brings together global entrepreneurs and expert investors for a shot at up to $1 million in venture capital from Paspalis.

If you’re looking to test-bed technology in the Territory and need to access venture capital, Croc Pitch is your launchpad.

The Northern Territory provides secure, real-world test-bed environments across key sectors like mining, agriculture, space, and defence, with launch and tracking infrastructure near the equator for scalable, high-impact innovation. Positioned on Asia’s doorstep, Darwin offers fast, direct access to regional markets and trade routes, making the NT ideal for building, testing, and going global.

To learn more and to register, go to the Darwin Innovation Hub website.

The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) is a Commonwealth funded initiative of the Department of Defence. The program provides 3rd and 4th year engineering and technology university students with direct connections to the defence industry by facilitating a 12-week paid internship in small to medium defence industry businesses across Australia. SMEs receive intern wage reimbursements plus an additional $547 per week per intern.

The DIIP are now specifically seeking applications from businesses located in the Northern Territory. The organisation must classify as a small to medium enterprise, operate in the Australian defence industry and employ less than 200 staff. Interested NT businesses are encouraged to contact diipenquiries@thecareernetwork.com.au.  Intern applications open 28 July 2025 and close 31 August 2025.

Robertson Barracks will open its gates to the public on Saturday 16 August, offering a rare opportunity for the Darwin community to explore life on base and meet the soldiers who live and train in the Top End.

From 10 am to 2 pm, visitors can enjoy:

• live demonstrations by Army units
• military equipment and vehicle displays
• defence career information stalls
• food trucks and family-friendly activities

This is a great chance to engage with local Defence personnel and learn more about their roles, training and capabilities.

Entry via Thorngate Road, Holtze
Parking available on base in allocated areas

Free tickets available via TryBooking website.

Walking off the War Within is a community event raising awareness for mental health, PTSD and suicide prevention, held in memory of Nathan Shanahan, a returned soldier and firefighter, and others lost to mental illness.

Taking place at East Point on Saturday 16 August.

• Challenge yourself - walk 20km with 20kg, or any distance you can — with or without a pack.
• Family-friendly - BBQ lunch, kids' activities, and a 5km loop around scenic East Point.
• Inclusive entry - register for free or donate ($10, $25 or your choice). Proceeds go to local mental health charities.

To register and walk with Defence, emergency services, and community - united in support, go to the Walking off the War Within website.

Darwin will host the first-ever regional heats of the Veteran Games on Friday 22 August 2025 at Robertson Barracks, 1st Brigade.

This inaugural event is a proactive health initiative developed by veterans, for veterans, promoting physical and mental wellbeing through friendly competition. Backed by the NT Government and proudly supported by 1st Brigade, the games aim to address key findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran suicide and shift the narrative around veteran support.

Veteran teams will take on a series of physical and mental challenges inspired by real-life military scenarios, with the winning team earning a sponsored place at the national finals on the Gold Coast this October.

The Veteran Games are focused on:

• supporting veteran health and fitness
• showcasing capability and teamwork
• creating positive, long-term outcomes for veterans, their families and the broader community

More info and registration, go to the Veteran Games website.

Team Defence Australia (TDA) is the national platform for Australian defence industry to showcase their goods, services, technologies, and solutions at international trade events. As part of the TDA delegation, companies receive free space on the custom-built national pavilion, providing a platform to showcase and demonstrate your capabilities face-to-face with the foreign delegations, and industry partners. Additionally, delegates receive services to maximise participation at the show, including pre-event support, market advice and business-to-business.

If you are interested in learning more about how to be part of a future TDA delegation, go to the Australia's Department of Defence.

• Demonstrating sovereignty, not declaring it, is what matters. Demonstrate it in northern Australia
• The future of US facilities in northern Australia
• Townsville should lead strategic basing for Littoral Lift Group

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.

For more information on available grant programs, go to the Australia's Department of Defence.

Grants 2025 Collaborative Research Grants (CRG)

The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is excited to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the 2025 Collaborative Research Grants (CRG) will open on 7 July 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for researchers and industry partners to secure up to $250,000 in funding for projects that align with Defence priority areas. This year, the CRG Program focuses on the theme of Littoral Operations.

To find out more, go to the Queensland Defence Science Alliance website.

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.

To find out more, go to the Australian Government Business Support website.

Tenders

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.

Estate Works Program – forward works program July to December 2025

EST02146 - National Maritime Infrastructure Maintenance Program (NMIMP) – Design Services Consultant (DSC) – Notice

Close date: 16 August

The NMIMP aims to identify and remediate identified deficiencies in specific maritime structures requiring major capital investment to maximise their useful life, including at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. Capability requirements from industry may include structural remediation, corrosion protection, pavement upgrades, and the reinstatement of critical maritime infrastructure elements.

View Tender

Approach to Market information: ESTJ2092PH1 (JP2092PH1) Guided Weapons Explosive Ordnance Enterprise Program – Procurement Notice (Design Services)

The investment in Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) is a key 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) initiative and requires additional investment in the Storage & Distribution (S&D) network to deliver a strategically aligned and fit-for-purpose network. Storage requirements are scattered throughout northern Australia. More information can be found on Aus Tender. The Invitation to Register will be released on AusTender in Q3 2025

Close 31 July

View approach to market

Defence Search and Rescue (SAR) Contract

Close Date: 7 August 2025
Summary: Defence seeks a provider for a whole-of-Defence Search and Rescue solution supporting ADF and foreign military operations across Australia's SAR region.

View Tender

LAND8710 Phase 5 – Littoral Manoeuvre Facilities

Close Date:1 November 2025
Summary: Delivery of maritime and land-based facilities to support littoral manoeuvre capability across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

View Tender

Estate Works Program – forward works program July to December 2025

The Estate Works Program (EWP) delivers facilities and infrastructure maintenance projects aimed at restoring or sustaining capability. EWP projects are valued from $10k to $15m, and focus on addressing safety and compliance requirements on the Defence estate.

Defence advises of future approaches to market using the EWP Tender Forecast to assist industry to schedule tender opportunities. The forecast provides industry with planned releases over a specified period.

Once released, all EWP opportunities are published via AusTender. Industry can register for AusTender notifications of new opportunities.

More information