Land Forces International Defence Exposition 2026

6 to 8 October - Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Northern Territory (NT) delegation successfully participated in Land Forces 2026, Australia’s premiere land defence exhibition and a key event for the Indo Pacific region.

Delivered in collaboration with the Australian Army, the biennial exposition brings together Defence, global prime contractors, small‑to‑medium enterprises and international delegations to showcase advanced land capabilities, technology and services.

The event provided a critical platform for Australian industry to engage directly with Defence decision makers and global supply chains, with a focus on major land capability programs and sustainment activities.

Event overview

Highlights of Land Forces 2026 included:

• more than 800 national and international exhibitors
• senior Defence and government representatives
• major prime contractors from the United States, Europe and Asia
• a comprehensive conference and networking program.

Northern Territory participation

Led by DefenceNT, the Northern Territory delegation participated in Land Forces 2026 to showcase Territory capabilities, strengthen industry relationships and explore opportunities across the national and international defence sector.

The delegation highlighted the Northern Territory's strategic advantages and growing role in supporting Defence operations, training and sustainment activities across northern Australia.

Participation provided valuable opportunities for Territory organisations to connect with Defence representatives, prime contractors, government stakeholders and industry partners.

The Northern Territory defence proposition

The Northern Territory hosts a sustained Australian Army presence due to its strategic geography, proximity to the Indo Pacific and access to unique training environments.

Australian Army units based in the NT, together with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, undertake continuous readiness, force generation and regional engagement activities. These are supported by large scale joint and multinational exercises conducted annually.

This operational environment drives ongoing demand for local industry support across:

• logistics
• sustainment
• infrastructure
• training
• specialist services.

The NT is well positioned for Defence related industry growth, particularly in logistics and supply chain resilience, sustainment and storage infrastructure, energy and fuel security, workforce capability, and support for deployable land forces and regional operations.

Delegation outcomes and engagement priorities

The Northern Territory delegation used Land Forces 2026 to:

• Strengthen strategic partnerships
  Engagement with the Australian Army, allied forces and international partners to support force posture initiatives, training activities and Defence investment in the NT.

• Promote the Northern Territory as a strategic Defence location
  Showcasing the Territory’s advantages for basing and training, and its role in supporting national and regional security.

• Showcase industrial capability and sustainment infrastructure
  Highlighting key assets such as the Northern Marine Complex, logistics networks, and upgrades to training areas and ranges that enable sovereign sustainment capability.

• Facilitate industry engagement and supply chain opportunities
  Connecting NT businesses with Defence, prime contractors and government stakeholders.

• Advance Defence enabling sectors and future capabilities
  Promoting Defence adjacent industries, including data and connectivity, space and aerospace, maritime supply chains, energy and fuel security, and critical minerals.

Northern Territory delegation

The Northern Territory delegation brought together 24 organisations representing the depth and diversity of the Territory's defence industry and capability.

The delegation included representatives from:

• industrial services
• construction and infrastructure
• technology and autonomous systems
• aviation
• energy
• health and safety
• research and higher education
• investment
• peak industry bodies.

It also included the NT Coordinator, whose statutory role is to accelerate and streamline major project approvals in the NT.

Together, these organisations demonstrated the strength of the Northern Territory's defence industry ecosystem and its capacity to support a sustained Defence presence and future capability requirements.

NT businesses joining the NT delegation include: