Avalon Australian International Airshow 2027
23 to 28 February, Avalon Airport Victoria
Avalon is Australia’s premiere aerospace and defence exposition and the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing together industry, defence, government, academia and international delegations.
The trade show provides unparalleled opportunities for defence industry engagement, capability promotion, networking and supply chain development.
Avalon 2027 is expected to host:
- 900+ participating exhibitor companies
- comprehensive conference program
- top decision-makers from the global aerospace and defence industries
- structured networking events and functions
- formal industry and delegation meeting request systems.
Why join the NT delegation
Join the Northern Territory delegation to showcase your capability alongside DefenceNT, connect with key defence, government and industry stakeholders from across Australia and internationally and support the priorities of the Northern Territory Defence Strategy.
The Territory advantage
The Northern Territory Defence Strategy 2026 places northern theatre logistics, northern basing and ranges, and innovation, test and evaluation at the centre of this growth and at the centre of what Avalon 2027 can deliver for Territory industry.
The Northern Territory is home to the P-8A Poseidon, F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and MQ-4C Triton, and anchors Australia's air power in the north. Numerous upgrades and capital projects across RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal (including $1.174 billion RAAF Tindal Stage 6/USFPI works and $700 million RAAF Darwin Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command project) will generate defence service delivery opportunities into the future.
Pine Gap is a vital node in the Australia-US intelligence relationship and further underscores the Territory's strategic significance to the alliance. This is backed by unmatched training areas including Bradshaw Field Training Area and the logistics corridor linking Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs to most of the country.
The Territory’s defence aerospace facilities offer opportunities beyond traditional training, exercises and force generation. The $427.1 million AIR7000 facilities program has established MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft support infrastructure at Tindal, while the $228.2 million AIR5349 Growler facilities program continue developing electronic-attack support infrastructure linked to the Delamere range. Together, these programs reinforce the Territory’s position as a live testbed for next-generation aerospace capability.
Avalon 2027 provides an opportunity to take these priorities to market, connecting Territory businesses with defence, primes, aerospace companies and technology partners to strengthen local capability, build resilient supply chains and pursue new investment and partnerships.
Delegation focus areas
The Northern Territory delegation to Avalon 2027 will focus on:
Innovation, test and evaluation
Highlight the Territory as a proving ground for emerging aerospace and uncrewed technologies, including Charles Darwin University's Airspace Integration Research Facility near Katherine and North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS) and connect Northern Territory researchers and technology businesses with AUKUS Pillar II partners.
Northern theatre logistics
Showcase the road, rail and logistics network connecting Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs to the rest of the country and the Indo-Pacific region, and the opportunities it creates for Northern Territory logistics, transport and supply-chain businesses supporting Defence and allied air operations.
Northern basing and ranges
Promote the Territory’s world class training areas and ranges as a strategic setting for industry to established support services and product infrastructure alongside Defence’s northern basing footprint.
Investment and industry partnerships
Connect Northern Territory businesses with Defence, primes and national and international aerospace companies to attract investment, develop partnerships and integrate Territory businesses into Defence and aerospace supply chains.
How to participate
Northern Territory businesses with capabilities relevant to defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, technology, logistics, training and related supply chains are encouraged to express their interest in joining the delegation.
To learn more and apply, get the Avalon 2027 Expression of Interest PDF (356.4 KB).