Australia’s Defence Industry Minister to Keynote Inaugural UDT Australia in Adelaide

27 August 2026
Edited By: Ed Freeman

Australia's Federal Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, heads a powerful list of national and international speakers confirmed to address a major undersea convention in Adelaide later this year. Minister Conroy will deliver the opening keynote at the inaugural UDT Australia, which will be held at the Adelaide Showgrounds from December 2–4, 2026.

Australia’s Federal Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP

An extension of the popular UDT event held annually in Europe, UDT Australia has been confirmed as the host city of Adelaide for the next three years (2026, 2027, and 2028). Minister Conroy will be joined by key speakers from across the Australian and international defense and technology sectors, including Professor Tanya Monro AC, Chief Scientist at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and Commander Julien Le Roux, Director of Undersea Warfare at Marine Nationale (French Navy).

More than 1,500 delegates from across all cohorts of the global undersea defense ecosystem are expected to take part in the inaugural program, which will incorporate a conference, exhibition, networking, and industry site visits to South Australia’s naval precinct. Topics to be discussed include the future of defense tech and the investment opportunities linked to key programs, including the two pillars of AUKUS, led by expert speakers in keynote presentations, panel discussions, and technical presentations.

Confirmed speakers so far include:

The Hon. Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry
Professor Tanya Monro AC, Chief Scientist at Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute
Commander Julien Le Roux, Director of Undersea Warfare at Marine Nationale (French Navy)
Robert Dane, CEO at Ocius
Katherine Richards AM CSC, Chief Engineer at Engineers Australia
Danielle Bull, Chief Capability Officer at ASC Pty Ltd
Joshua Rodgers, Partner – Defense and National Security at KordaMentha
Dr. Graeme Dunk, Ph.D., Head of Strategy at Shoal Group Pty Ltd

The full lineup of speakers is being finalized and will be revealed closer to the event. To view the agenda and speaker lineup, visit: www.udt-australia.com.

James Samuel, Managing Director – Live Events at Clarion Defence and Security, said the high caliber of speakers and panelists reinforces the strong engagement and opportunities on offer in the national and global maritime and defense tech sector.

“We are incredibly excited to be bringing UDT to Australia for the first time in the show’s 37-year history,” he said. “UDT Australia has already secured a lineup of high-profile and deeply experienced industry experts, and we are building a program that will make this a must-attend event for the sector.”

In addition to the speaker lineup, UDT Australia has secured the support and endorsement of prominent government, naval, and defense sector leaders.

“UDT Australia is appreciative of the strong support shown from industry and government as we build towards the event in December,” he said. “From the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Submarine Agency to Federal and State Government, their support and engagement reinforces the priority for sector engagement and opportunities that will emerge from dedicated conversation and collaboration.”

Support has been received from the following to date:

Royal Australian Navy and Vice Admiral Matt Buckley AM CSC RAN (Chief of Navy)
The Australian Submarine Agency
The Hon. Richard Marles MP (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence)
The Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP (Premier of South Australia)
The Hon. Chris Picton MP (Minister for Defence and Space Industries, South Australia)

The UDT Australia agenda release comes ahead of the official registration launch, with more information to be released shortly.

Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) Australia will bring together defense, government, industry, and academia to strengthen Australia’s role and regional collaboration in the undersea domain. This will be the first time the event is held outside of Europe in its 37-year history. UDT Australia will be delivered by Clarion Events in partnership with Defence SA, the Defence Teaming Centre, and Business Events Adelaide.

Senior military leaders, government representatives, industry experts, and researchers from around the world will join the conversation on Engineering the Undersea Future, including key challenges and opportunities facing the Indo-Pacific and global undersea industries. The event will also champion engagement with academia to address growing workforce needs through education, skills and training, and industry development opportunities, with a focus on sustaining the generational, multi-decade pipeline of jobs created through the AUKUS submarine projects.

To find out more, visit: https://www.udt-australia.com/