The Undersea Defence Technology convention is coming to Adelaide next year. Photo: Australian Submarine Agency.
The South Australian Government has secured hosting rights for the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) convention for the next three years.
A major international defence and trade event, the convention will be hosted outside Europe for the first time in its 37-year history.
The SA Government said next year’s arrival of the event would bolster the state’s reputation as a world-class destination for defence and strategic innovation.
UDT will be held at the Adelaide Showground in December 2026, bringing together 2000 delegates, including leading experts in undersea defence technology as well as military personnel and government officials. More than half of the visitors will be from overseas.
Held annually, the three-day UDT convention will return for two more years through to 2028 under a joint bid led by Business Events Adelaide, with support from the government through Defence SA, the City of Adelaide and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency.
Adelaide was selected by Clarion Events, which also runs the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), due to the city’s undersea defence industry, its position as a key partner in the AUKUS alliance and as the build location for the SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.
“South Australia’s reputation as the Defence State has once again been recognised in securing this highly regarded international event to occur outside of Europe for the first time in its 37-year history,” South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“Our uniquely integrated defence ecosystem, where industry, government and academia work in close synchrony, combined with our deep technical expertise, advanced infrastructure and highly skilled workforce, makes Adelaide the ideal location for a global defence exposition of the calibre of UDT.”
The event will focus on incorporating new technology into the industry, such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
South Australia’s Government estimates the event will deliver an economic boost worth more than $30 million to the state while providing local small to medium enterprises with direct access to international markets and key players in the military-industrial complex.
“Securing UDT is recognition of our state’s importance in the global defence landscape and will bring thousands of industry leaders to Adelaide,” Treasurer and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Stephen Mullighan said.
“This will provide an opportunity for local companies in our defence industries to have direct access to key international decision-makers and learn about the latest advances in technology.”
The 2025-26 State Budget allowed more than $10 million across forward estimates for Business Events Adelaide to increase tourism to the state by securing conferences, exhibitions, conventions and major events.
