Release date: 15/03/23

A group of leading South Australian defence companies will make their mark at Japan’s only large-scale, fully integrated defence event, paving the way for future trade opportunities across the Asia-Pacific.

DSEI Japan, starting today, will feature six SA companies presenting their cutting-edge technologies to global defence industry executives and investors, with ambitions to export new products and services to key markets throughout the region.

The event brings the global defence and security sector together with the Japanese defence community to innovate, partner and share knowledge.

More than 10,000 delegates are expected to attend the three-day event, which hosts over 200 exhibitors from all over the world and provides unprecedented access into the Japanese and wider Asia-Pacific defence markets.

It follows Japan’s bold new national security strategy which aims to double its national defence budget to around 1.1 per cent of GDP, or the equivalent of AUS$55 billion within the next five years – and investment that would place it ninth for global defence spending.

South Australian defence industries’ discourse with their Japanese defence counterparts follows continued engagement in recent years between Australia and Japan, which last year saw the signature of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in which both nations committed to closer defence and security cooperation.

Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion met the South Australian delegation attending DSEI Japan and will support the companies involved as part of his trade mission to the country this week.

The SA contingent comprises small to medium enterprises and will be part of an Australian defence industry delegation led by Major General David Coghlan and Air-Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull.

Local companies participating include:

  • Acacia Systems, a leading Australian defence software and systems engineering company, engaged primarily in developing advanced mission management systems and tactical support applications.
  • Micro-X LTD, an award-winning X-ray technology company, pioneering a global revolution in medical and security imaging products.
  • Rowlands Metalworks, one of South Australia’s finest manufacturers of sheet metal products.
  • Tekuma Pty Ltd, developer of a force-based, six-degrees of freedom control orb module for drones, robots and other devices.
  • Inovor Technologies, provider of turnkey spacecraft mission delivery services, and specialist electronic warfare engineering services.
  • BMT Defence and Security Australia, a leading international design, engineering, science, and risk management consultancy with a reputation for excellence.

DSEI Japan comes days after South Australia and the State’s defence capabilities received global attention following announcement of the AUKUS Agreement in San Diego – the biggest single investment in Australia's defence capability which is set to deliver an estimated $2 billion investment over the forward estimates to SA while creating thousands of local jobs and showcasing our advanced manufacturing and defence industries.

Quotes

Attributable to Nick Champion

We share a special strategic partnership with Japan which is fundamental to both countries’ strategic and economic interests.

Japan’s investment in its defence sector is significant and as a global leader in defence industries we want to ensure South Australian companies are at the fore of the opportunities available across the Asia-Pacific region.

The exchange of knowledge through collaborations of this nature with our defence companies will enhance the region’s defence capabilities more broadly.  

Our commitment to that endeavour is clear, such is the calibre of the delegation of South Australian defence companies tasked with showcasing our capabilities at one of the world’s biggest defence events.

This event brings together global defence industry leaders, allowing local businesses to develop international relationships, build new trade links and source the latest equipment and systems for the State’s vast pipeline of future projects.