Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen Joins UDT Australia as Military Advisor

16 September 2026
Edited By: Haley McQueen

Clarion Events has appointed naval leader Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen (Retd), AO, CSM as its Australian Military Advisor. A retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, Steve will provide specialist advisory for UDT Australia, an undersea defense technology conference and exhibition to be held in Adelaide later this year—the first time the popular UDT series will be staged outside of Europe in its 37-year history. As part of this role, he will also join the UDT Australia Steering Committee, alongside leading maritime and defense personnel, to develop the inaugural convention and ensure it addresses key priorities across military, industry, government, workforce, and technology.

(Image credit: UDT Australia)

Steve has dedicated more than four decades to leading complex maritime capability delivery across defense and industry. His 40-year career in the Royal Australian Navy spanned major shipbuilding, sustainment, and upgrade programs, culminating in his role as Head of Maritime Sustainment from 2022 to 2025. Following posts in Canberra as Head of Maritime Sustainment and acting Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding & Sustainment Group, Steve has now returned to his home state of South Australia. He is also the Director of Arc Fidelis, an independent advisory practice working with defense and government to strengthen Australia’s defense capability and national resilience.

Steve was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Military Division for distinguished service in the 2026 King’s Birthday honors.

James Samuel, Managing Director – Live Events at Clarion Defence and Security, said Steve’s extensive experience and sector leadership will deliver invaluable insights and strengthen UDT’s engagement with the Australian and Asia-Pacific military industry.

“Steve is a proven defense capability leader with rare expertise in shipbuilding, sustainment, and governance,” he said. “His deep understanding of the commercial and technical aspects of naval capability and procurement will reliably inform how we develop and deliver the most relevant programming and opportunities for our senior industry audience. Steve is highly respected and well connected in the defense sector and we are delighted to welcome him as we prepare for UDT Australia in 2026 and beyond.”

Steve joins the UDT Australia Steering Committee alongside:

Sharon Wilson, chair (strategic advisor; Chair, Defence Innovation Partnership; formerly BAE Systems)
Rear Admiral Steve Tiffen (Retd) (Royal Australian Navy; Arc Fidelis)
Rear Admiral Jon Pentreath (Retd) (Royal Navy UK; Comorant Consulting)
Commodore Michael Turner (Royal Australian Navy)
Libby Day (Defence Teaming Centre)
Jessica Hernandez (Defence SA)
James Samuel (Clarion Events)
Representatives from the Australian Submarine Agency

Australia’s Federal Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, heads a powerful list of national and international speakers confirmed to address the convention. 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 – Defence and National Security at KordaMentha
Dr. Graeme Dunk, Ph.D., Head of Strategy at Shoal Group Pty Ltd

The full line-up 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/conference/conference-agenda

UDT Australia will be held in Adelaide from December 2–4, 2026. It will be delivered by Clarion Events in partnership with Defence SA, the Defence Teaming Centre, and Business Events Adelaide, with official support from the Royal Australian Navy and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP.

Attracting delegates and exhibitors from key markets around the world, UDT Australia will bring global leaders to showcase their capabilities while also enabling Australian companies to reach national and international military and government audiences.

It is anticipated that more than 1,500 invited and verified members across all cohorts of the undersea defense ecosystem will take part in the inaugural program, which will incorporate a conference, exhibition, networking, and industry site visits to South Australia’s naval precinct. Senior military leaders, government representatives, industry experts, and researchers 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/