June 2025 newsletter

Photo:CPL Cameron Pegg: Major General Richard Vagg DSC, Head Land Capability,
answers a question to defence and industry members during the panel session at LEWG

It’s been another big month across the Northern Territory’s defence and national security sector. While national events like Land Environment Working Group and the upcoming Defence + Industry Conference continue to shape the strategic direction, preparations are also underway for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest military exercise, which will take place across the country throughout July. The Territory will play a key role once again, with increased activity expected across our bases and training areas. There’s also strong momentum across industry, with new grant rounds, awards, internship programs, and tenders now open.

Whether you’re looking to expand your networks, grow your business, or stay connected to what’s happening across defence, there’s something in this edition for you.

Last week, DefenceNT participated in the Australian Army’s Land Environment Working Group (LEWG), an annual industry engagement activity bringing together Army capability development managers with industry professionals from around Australia.
This year’s LEWG provided updates on a suite of army capability programs including armoured vehicles, littoral manoeuvre, logistics support and autonomous systems. It also discussed the Army's evolving force structure and posture, in alignment with implementation of the National Defence Strategy.
News is positive for the Northern Territory and northern Australia more broadly. This includes progress on planning for Army Littoral Manoeuvre facilities under LAND 8710 Phase 5, which will see $5 to 7 billion invested across south-east Queensland, north Queensland and Darwin in coming years.
Plans are also progressing for the Theatre Logistics Program which will see logistics capability in northern Australia enhanced as part of the $15 to 21 billion investment under the Integrated Investment Program. There are also likely to be future investments under the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise with implications for northern Australia.
For local industry wanting further information from the LEWG, email defencesupport.cmc@nt.gov.au.
The Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition is the region’s leading event for naval defence and commercial maritime engagement. It brings together senior leaders from defence, industry, government, academia, and technology to support Australia’s national interests and strengthen regional security partnerships. For more information, go to Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition website.
DefenceNT is running a competitive Expression of Interest process to select Northern Territory (NT) businesses, peak bodies, and industry groups to join the official NT delegation to Indo Pacific 2025, held in Sydney from 4 to 6 November 2025.
If you’re part of the NT’s maritime, defence, or advanced manufacturing sectors and want to expand your networks, showcase your capabilities, and explore new opportunities, this is your chance to be involved on the national stage.
You can express your interest to be involved by going to the Have Your Say website.
Photo: NWGCDR Lauren Flaherty: Combat Support Group aviators out the front of Barkly Homestead following Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.
Exercise Talisman Sabre returns in July 2025 for its 11th and largest iteration, bringing together 19 nations for a wide-ranging multinational exercise across Australia and Papua New Guinea. Co-designed by Australia and the United States, Talisman Sabre will involve live fire activities, amphibious landings, ground manoeuvres, air combat drills, and maritime operations.
In the Northern Territory (NT), increased military activity is expected throughout July as forces begin arriving at RAAF Base Darwin and regional training sites. The public can expect to see slow-moving military convoys, some carrying tanks and protected vehicles on major roads, including the Stuart Highway, particularly between 13 to 27 July.
Defence is working closely with councils, landowners and emergency services to manage community impacts. Road users are asked to remain patient, keep a safe distance, and avoid overtaking long convoys unless clearly safe to do so. The exercise will also deliver local economic benefits, with defence engaging NT-based suppliers and services to support participating forces.
Talisman Sabre reflects the Territory’s value as a critical hub for multinational cooperation, readiness, and regional security.
For more information, or to register for updates, go to the Australian Government's Department of Defence website.
Defence + Industry Conference (D+I) 2025 is kicking off on Wednesday 16 July 2025 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. D+I will deliver thought provoking presentations with a mix of senior defence and industry presenters keeping delegates in control through live questioning during our Q&A panel sessions.
Kicking off with a welcome reception on the evening prior to the conference, D+I provides delegates with ample networking opportunities to engage and develop invaluable relationships across the defence and industry landscape.
Event Details
- National Convention Centre, Canberra
- Welcome Reception: Wednesday 16 July 2025, 1800–2000
- Conference: Thursday 17 July 2025, 0830–1700
Places are limited and spots are filling up fast.
Registrations close on Friday 4 July 2025.
To register online, go to the EventsAir website.
On 8 May 2025, Defence hosted a webinar updating progress against the Defence Test and Evaluation Strategy. Industry was briefed on future engagements, investment priorities, and opportunities to contribute to test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance.
The event included a leadership panel Q&A with active industry engagement. Due to high demand, a recording and transcript are now available, along with a comprehensive FAQ document. For more information, go to the Australian Government's Department of Defence website.
Useful links
Other useful information on Australian Government Department of Defence website:
2026 Australian Defence Export Catalogue – submissions open
The Australian Defence Export Catalogue promotes Australian defence industry on the international stage. It highlights the products and services of over 300 Australian businesses, and innovation within Australia’s defence industry.
The catalogue promotes export opportunities and embeds Australian defence industry into the global supply chain.
Defence industry businesses are selected to showcase their products and services in the catalogue, representing a cross-section of defence industry from every state and territory within Australia.
Submissions are now open for the 2026 Australian Defence Export Catalogue.
To submit or resubmit your application, go to the Australian Government's Department of Defence website.
The Veteran Employment Program Prime Ministers National Veteran Employment Awards for 2025 are now open.
The Awards recognise the organisations making significant contributions to veteran and partner employment across Australia and celebrate the achievements of individual veterans and partners. The 2025 theme is ‘Celebrating our community’ highlighting the collective impact of the veteran employment community and inspiring continued engagement, and leadership across Australia.
Nominations close: 25 July 2025
To learn more and submi, go to Australian Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.
October Business Month (OBM) is the Northern Territory’s premier business event, delivering a dynamic, Territory-wide program of events that spark ideas, build capability, and connect the business community.
This year’s key theme is to ‘Play to our Strengths’.
Showcase your skills and support Territory business by hosting a Partner Event during OBM.
OBM partner events are independent events delivered by business and industry that form part of the broader calendar of events. Local businesses and organisations are encouraged to get involved to showcase their skills, knowledge and experience to motivate business owners and their employees to connect, learn and be inspired.
EOIs close: Thursday 31 July 2025
To register, go to the OBM website.
Contact
October Business Month
08 8935 7731
obm@nt.gov.au
The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) is funded by the Commonwealth Government. The Career Network (TCN) administers the DIIP on behalf of the Department of Defence. With thousands of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) supporting the Australian Defence Force, this group of employers has substantial demand for graduate talent, particularly in the engineering and technology disciplines.
The DIIP provides Engineering and Technology university students with direct connections to the Defence Industry by facilitating a 12-week (450 hour) paid internship in small to medium defence industry businesses across Australia.
These internships provide students with the opportunity to work with industry leaders on complex projects, using advanced technologies and support the development of valuable employability skills.
Host Applications: Open now
Intern Applications: 28 July – 31 August 2025
For more information go to the Defence Industry Internship Program 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 Australian Government's Department of Defence website.
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.
Pre-release notice air transport standing offer for services
The Commonwealth of Australia, as represented by the Department of Defence, is seeking to establish a panel to provide domestic and international air transport services. Capability will be sought to support of military exercises, operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief within Australia and overseas. Services required under the panel are anticipated to include provision of aircraft and movement of cargo and/or passengers.
A Request for tender will be released on AusTender from mid-July 2025.
View Tender
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
Upcoming Australian Defence contracted health service
Close date: 21 July 2025
Summary: Defence is planning a multi-stage procurement to reshape how health services are delivered to the Australian Defence Force. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be released in Q3 2025. The scope includes comprehensive health care across scheduled, unscheduled, and preventive service categories.
View Notice
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 Australian Government's Department of Defence website.
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.