For three days this week, the West Australian government’s Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) Conference and Exhibition will examine how Western Australia’s role in Australia’s defence strategy is helping to shape sovereign capability, international engagement and industrial growth – delivering state-based expertise for national strategic outcomes.

The timing is significant. Last month, the federal government ­released its 2026 update to the National Defence Strategy, reaffirming priorities including enhanced undersea warfare capability through the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program, accelerated maritime capability development, and expanded adoption of uncrewed and autonomous systems across land, air and maritime domains.

From May 26 to 28, IODS 2026 will bring together defence leaders, government, primes, SMEs, researchers and international partners to explore how these priorities are being translated into capability, industry capacity and regional security outcomes.

Across the exhibition floor, more than 250 organisations will showcase the technologies and services underpinning these national programs, while the conference program provides the strategic context behind the investment decisions shaping Australia’s defence future.

Together, the exhibition and conference reflect two essential dimensions of defence: the delivery of capability and the strategy that underpins it.

Key speakers include Australia’s Chief of Navy and incoming Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, and the United Kingdom’s First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, alongside senior leaders from Australia and partner nations. Their participation reflects the increasingly international character of Australia’s defence environment and the importance of trusted partnerships in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability.

AUKUS remains central to the discussion. While most commonly associated with Pillar I and the delivery of nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines for the Royal Australian Navy, its implications extend well beyond a single platform. It represents the largest and most complex defence acquisition in Australia’s history and will require sustained investment in workforce, infrastructure, supply chains and industrial capability over coming decades.

Western Australia is central to this effort. Home to Australia’s largest naval base and the nation’s primary submarine base, the state already supports rotational visits by United States and United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarines. In the years ahead, it will also support Australia’s future Virginia-class submarines and the Australian-built SSN-AUKUS fleet, with significant investment underway in the infrastructure and workforce required to sustain them.

Beyond submarines, AUKUS Pillar II presents major opportunities for Australian industry through collaboration in undersea systems, artificial intelligence, cyber, hypersonics and electronic warfare, capabilities that will increasingly define both national ­security and industrial competitiveness.

Perth’s role as host city is strategically significant. Positioned on the Indian Ocean rim, Western Australia serves as a gateway between Australia and key partners including the United States, United Kingdom, India and Japan. Often described as Australia’s Indian Ocean capital, Perth continues to play a central role in maritime security, trade, energy and defence co-operation across the region.

Since its origins as the 2018 Perth USAsia Centre WA Indo-Pacific Conference, IODS has evolved into a leading international forum examining the strategic challenges and opportunities facing Australia and its partners in the Indian Ocean region. Previous editions have addressed sovereign supply chains, resource security, AUKUS, the Quad, and the role of Western Australia’s defence industry in national resilience.

This year’s program continues that focus, with sessions covering regional security, AUKUS, critical minerals, industrial capability, and the evolving Indo-Pacific security environment. The return of the Former Defence Ministers Panel – featuring the Hon. Christopher Pyne, the Hon. David Johnston and the Hon. Linda Reynolds – will again provide candid perspectives on Australia’s defence policy and strategic outlook.

At its core, IODS exists because modern defence capability now extends far beyond military platforms alone, encompassing industry, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, technology, workforce development and economic resilience. With its strategic location, established naval infrastructure and globally significant critical minerals sector, Western Australia is increasingly central to Australia’s long-term defence capability, sovereign supply chains and national security outcomes.

IODS 2026 is presented by ­Defence West and the West Australian government in collaboration with AMDA Foundation, with a conference program developed by the Perth USAsia Centre.

AMDA Foundation delivers Australia’s leading defence and aerospace expositions, including the Avalon Australian International Airshow, Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition and Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition.

Like those events, IODS provides a platform to showcase Australian industry capability to a global audience. Alongside the conference and exhibition, the program includes an innovation awards initiative offering $40,000 in grants, dedicated careers and pathways programs for students, educators and veterans, and the Better Together Ball in support of Legacy WA and RSL WA.

The Indian Ocean Defence & Security 2026 Conference and Exhibition runs from May 26-28 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information, go to iods.com.au

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