The Hunter Defence Conference

The Hunter Defence Conference is AUSTRALIA’S LEADING REGIONAL DEFENCE EVENT where you can meet the people who are meeting the challenges of a rapidly evolving defence landscape.

HDC2026 Save the date 26 & 27 August 2026

The Hunter Defence Conference attracts over 280+ delegates and keynote speakers from the defence sector nationally. It is unique within regional Australia and key to promoting regional defence industry capability – presenting a strong and unified voice that is heard throughout NSW industry, the NSW Government, nationally, and importantly, by Federal Government representatives.

2026 Hunter Defence Conference Highlights video by I Heart Productions

2026 CONFERENCE SUMMARY

DATES

26 - 27 AUGUST

LOCATION

RYDGES HUNTER VALLEY

430 Wine Country Drive,

Lovedale, NSW 2325

FORMAT

DAY ONE

08:00 – 09:00 Exhibition and Registration
09:00 – 16:30 Conference
16:30 – 18:30 Networking Drinks

DAY TWO

08:00 – 09:00 Exhibition and Registration
09:00 – 16:00 Conference
18:00 – 19:00 Pre Dinner Drinks Function
19:00 – 22:30 Gala Dinner

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Building your Defence strategy was at the heart of HDC2026, with almost 300 representatives from Defence, government, industry, academia and the regional business community coming together to explore how businesses can better understand Defence priorities, strengthen relationships and position themselves for future opportunities
Lessons from contemporary conflict brought speed, adaptation and resilience into sharp focus, with insights from Mick Ryan AM and Dr Oleksandra Molloy highlighting autonomy, artificial intelligence, rapid innovation, scalable production and the need to translate lessons from Ukraine and other conflicts into Australia’s own strategic and industrial context
Defence capability and industry opportunities were explored from every angle, from major Air Force and Navy programs and Defence’s new capability delivery model, to practical discussions with Lockheed Martin Australia, BAE Systems Australia, KONGSBERG Australia, Boeing, Thales Australia and Built on supply chain maturity, sovereign capability and what it takes for Australian SMEs to succeed
International opportunities and AUKUS remained firmly on the agenda, with perspectives from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and New Zealand exploring allied industrial collaboration, export pathways and emerging opportunities across advanced technologies, while sessions on financing, AI and governance tackled the practical foundations businesses need to grow and compete
Two days of discussion, challenge and connection culminated in a Gala Dinner address from The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, who described the Hunter Defence Conference as “the gala defence event of the year” and the Hunter as “the model to which other regions aspire”, while announcing new industry financing and grant measures and reinforcing the region’s growing contribution to Australia’s Defence capability

HDC2026 Conference Gallery

Explore the highlights from our successful 2026 Hunter Defence Conference with with thanks to our event photographer 3L Photography. If you use any of the images for your own purposes, please ensure you credit accordingly.