Release of Defence Innovation Strategy to Headline ADSTAR 2026

The Australian Government will launch the 2026 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy at ADSTAR 2026, setting Australia's defence innovation priorities and outlining how Defence will harness emerging technologies to deliver future capability.

The strategy's release sets the agenda for Australia's Defence innovation priorities and signals the next phase of research, science and technology in the national security landscape.

Aligned with the 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and Integrated Investment Program (IIP), the strategy outlines six updated innovation, science and technology (IS&T) priorities that will provide a practical roadmap for how Defence will harness emerging technologies to deliver capability in an increasingly contested strategic environment.

Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro AC said the strategy reflected Defence's commitment to strengthening Australia's technological edge through closer collaboration across government, industry and academia.

"ADSTAR 2026 is a critical platform for bringing together Defence, industry and academia to align our efforts in the innovation, science and technology space to help accelerate Australia's asymmetric advantage," Professor Monro said.

"In an increasingly complex strategic environment, strengthening collaboration - both nationally and with our international partners - is essential to ensuring Australia can leverage opportunities to respond to evolving threats."

As Defence, industry and academia respond to rapidly evolving threats and emerging technologies, ADSTAR 2026 is placing innovation at the centre of Australia's national security conversation, providing a forum to strengthen partnerships, share ideas and accelerate the translation of research into capability for Defence.

More than 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the three-day summit, including senior Defence leaders, Australian and international government representatives, and leading voices from industry, research and academia.

Delegations from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States underscore the growing importance of international collaboration and partnerships in maintaining a technological edge and accelerating innovation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The program will feature more than 40 sessions across five concurrent streams, designed to accelerate innovation and translate science and technology into operational capability.

A distinguished line-up of Australian and international leaders will take part in the summit, including:

• Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong
• Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN
• Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Robert Chipman AO CSC
• Dr Kazuhiro Horie, Vice Commissioner and Chief Technology Officer, Japan Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics Agency
• Mr Peng Yam Tan, Chief Defence Scientist, Singapore Ministry of Defence
• Dr David Galligan, Director, Defence Technology Agency and Chief Defence Scientist, New Zealand Department of Defence
• The Hon Michael Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies, US Department of War
• The Hon Dr Joseph S. Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology, US Department of War
• Mr Jay Dryer, Director, Strategic Capabilities Office, US Department of War
• His Excellency Mr Nagesh Singh, High Commissioner of India to Australia
• His Excellency Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, High Commissioner of Singapore to Australia

Defence media release: ADSTAR 2026 to unveil new Defence IS&T Strategy amid growing global security challenges