Adelaide has secured a landmark victory in the global defence and trade calendar, winning the hosting rights for the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) expo for the first time in its 37-year history. The event, which has traditionally been held in Europe, will make its debut in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2026, with a three-year commitment that positions Adelaide as a hub for undersea defence innovation.
The UDT expo, organised by Clarion Events, is a prestigious forum for exploring advances in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and undersea technologies. With an expected 2,000 delegates—more than half of whom will travel from overseas—this event will bring together global industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. Adelaide’s selection was driven by its leadership in defence, particularly its role in the AUKUS submarine program, as well as its world-class infrastructure and skilled workforce.
Premier Peter Malinauskas hailed the announcement as further proof of South Australia’s standing as the nation’s Defence State. “Our uniquely integrated defence ecosystem, where industry, government, and academia work in close synchrony, combined with our deep technical expertise, advanced infrastructure, and highly skilled workforce, makes Adelaide the ideal location for a global defence exposition of the calibre of UDT,” he said. “We are delighted to welcome this event to the state, where it will complement our growing calendar of world-class defence and space events while driving innovation, investment, and collaboration across the sector.”
The expo is expected to deliver over $30 million in economic benefits to South Australia, opening new international market opportunities for local defence primes and SMEs. The hosting rights were secured through a joint bid led by Business Events Adelaide, supported by Defence SA, the Adelaide Economic Development Agency, and the City of Adelaide.
Minister for Defence and Space Industries Stephen Mullighan emphasised the event’s potential to unlock opportunities for South Australian businesses. “This will provide an opportunity for local companies in our defence industries to have direct access to key international decision-makers and learn about the latest advances in technology,” he said. “In the recent budget, the State Government provided $10 million to Business Events Adelaide to help secure events like this, which will provide more than $30 million in economic benefit to SA.”
Clarion Events Managing Director Sally deSwart highlighted Adelaide’s strategic importance in expanding UDT’s global reach. “Bringing Undersea Defence Technology to Adelaide is an important strategic development for Clarion Defence, bringing UDT into a new region at a critical time for the defence sector and reinforcing key alliances between the UK and Australia.”
Business Events Adelaide Chief Executive Damien Kitto praised the collaborative effort that secured the event. “Business Events Adelaide works globally to identify and attract business events that fit our sectors of strategic strength, and UDT is a prime example of that. Securing this business event has been a true ‘Team Adelaide’ effort, and we are grateful for the support we have received to secure it.”
The arrival of UDT further cements Adelaide’s reputation as a premier destination for defence and space industry events, reinforcing South Australia’s role at the forefront of global strategic innovation. As the defence sector continues to evolve, Adelaide’s ability to host such high-profile events will not only drive economic growth but also position the city as a key player in shaping the future of undersea defence technology.