Momentum Media brand, Defence Connect, in partnership with principal partner Commonwealth Bank, is pleased to officially launch the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Accelerator Summit to be held at the National Conventional Centre Canberra on Thursday, 16 July 2026.
The Australian Defence Industry Accelerator Summit will equip Australian SMEs with the knowledge, tools, and networks required to strengthen their position within the domestic defence sector and expand into international markets.
This exciting and innovative one-day event will deliver practical knowledge, expert networks and tangible pathways for Australian defence businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) looking to strengthen their position in the domestic market and expand into international opportunities.
The summit will bring together defence SME owners, executives and business development managers alongside representatives from government agencies, industry primes, financial institutions and international partner organisations. The event is supported by principal partner Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
The program will feature presentations, workshops and structured networking sessions drawing on expertise across finance, government support programs and export pathways, with a particular focus on helping SMEs navigate frameworks, including the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS), Team Defence Australia, and the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).
For more information, including buying tickets, click here.
Defence and aerospace lead, Momentum Media, Steve Kuper, said the summit had been designed to meet a clear and present need within the sector.
“Australian defence SMEs are the backbone of our industrial base, but too many are operating without the full picture when it comes to accessing finance, managing risk or engaging with primes and government programs,” Kuper said.
“The Australian Defence Industry Accelerator Summit is about changing that – bringing the right people, the right knowledge and the right networks into the same room to give these businesses every opportunity to compete and grow.”
Kerryn Saward, executive general manager, specialist sales and client solutions in Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Business Bank, said: “CommBank is proud to support Australian businesses across the defence and aerospace supply chain that are helping to strengthen our sovereign capability.”
Saward added: “Through investments in technology, advanced manufacturing and growth, Australian companies large and small are developing innovative and globally competitive solutions. We look forward to recognising and celebrating these achievements at the upcoming Australian Defence Industry Accelerator Summit and Australian Defence Industry Awards 2026.”
Kuper said the event’s focus on export readiness reflected the growing importance of international engagement for Australian defence businesses.
“We want to see Australian SMEs taking their capabilities to the world, supporting our allies and strengthening our nation’s defence industrial base in the process.
This summit gives them the foundation to do exactly that,” he said.
The summit’s objectives span practical finance and risk advice, engagement with government support mechanisms, prime contractor pathways, export market preparation, and long-term network building between SMEs, government, primes and financial institutions.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s support as principal partner underscores the financial sector’s commitment to the growth and resilience of Australia’s sovereign defence industry.
To buy tickets click here.
Further program details, including a detailed agenda and speaker line-up will be released in coming weeks.