Australia creates new office for defence exports

Australia has created a new office dedicated to selling sovereign Australian defence technology to international partners. The new Australian Defence Strategic Sales Office (ADSSO) will promote and facilitate the sale of select Australian defence capabilities to priority international partners. Australian companies will benefit from a centrally coordinated platform that proactively promotes, negotiates and drives forward their export sales. The ADSSO will be a joint Government and industry endeavour, drawing on front line experience of industry representatives. This initiative delivers on the commitment under the 2024 National Defence Strategy to support Australian defence industry to pursue export opportunities and integrate Australian companies into global supply chains. It is also an important step in delivering the 2024 Defence Industry Development Strategy, which highlighted the need to better coordinate with industry on our export efforts to trusted international partners. The initial priority capabilities for the ADSSO will include: Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle and Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle Boxer Heavy Weapons Carrier AS9 Huntsman and Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle MQ-28 Ghost Bat Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Future priority capabilities will be determined by Australia’s strategic requirements in consultation with industry. Australia’s defence industry has a proud history of exporting world-leading technology. This includes the Bushmaster, now used by nine countries, and a record breaking $1 billion deal to export Boxer armoured vehicles to Germany. Canada has also announced it will partner with Australia on its Over The Horizon Radar technology, leveraging Australia’s world-leading Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN). New sales catalogue features record number of businesses The Australian government is continuing to back the defence industry, with the 2025 Australian Defence Export Catalogue featuring a record number of businesses showcasing their export-ready products. The flagship publication, which this year features 336 businesses, is a conduit for foreign governments to engage directly with the local defence industry, making it a vital source of opportunity for Australian companies to grow their exports. The government is committed to driving global export opportunities for Australian defence industry and boosting Australian global supply chains. This includes utilising the Australian Defence Export Catalogue, as well as the Global Supply Chain program and through recent reforms to export controls, supported by the Team Australia initiative. The government’s reforms to export controls has seen Australian industry gain access an export licence-free environment with our AUKUS partners, unlocking billions of dollars of investment and cutting red tape to drive defence trade with the United Kingdom and the United States. Under the Albanese Government, the Global Supply Chain program has almost doubled from seven to 13 participating primes, which have collectively awarded over 2610 contracts to 283 Australian suppliers totalling over $2.07 billion. Last year, the Team Defence Australia initiative led delegations to 10 international tradeshows, providing opportunities for 399 Australian companies to showcase their capabilities. These companies include: SPEE3D which has secured the sale of their deployable 3D printers including cell training, support and powder valued at over $10 million. BlueRoom Simulations which is now exporting their BlueRoom Mixed Reality Simulator to Europe with $1.5 million in sales expected by the end of 2025. REDARC Defence & Space which Australia in partnership with MARL International Limited is now a key supplier of LED lights to BAE Systems Australia. All exports of controlled goods and technology are subject to an independent and rigorous assessment process in accordance with Australia’s Defence Export Control legislation. A downloadable version of the 2025 Australian Defence Export Catalogue is available on the Defence website here. Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “The record number of 336 companies showcased in the 2025 edition highlights the Albanese Government’s commitment to exports and supporting defence industry. The Albanese Government continues to work with the defence industry to help them grow their exports, which in turn provides critical support that enables them to employ more Australians. It is pleasing to see an abundance of Australian industry on the world stage, which will create jobs and boost our presence in global supply chains.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]