Defence – WA Innovation Calendar

SCOPE 2026 – Supply Chain Opportunities & Procurement Engagement

SCOPE is presented by CCIWA in partnership with ICN Western Australia — two organisations with a combined track record of connecting WA businesses to the projects and people that matter.

Join us for our inaugural SCOPE event which will bring together 400+ procurement managers, project owners, prime contractors and government representatives from WA’s energy, defence and resources – in one room, for one day.

Hear directly what the Government is prioritising and be seen by the ministers who matter to your sector. Project proponents will provide briefs live on upcoming work, procurement timelines and capability requirements. Structured and open networking is designed to connect suppliers directly with decision-makers.

DEADLINE: Defence West EOI (Western Defence Forge)

An Expression of Interest (EOI) to understand WA’s capability across defence-related manufacturing and supply chains opens on 26 May and closes on 8 July 2026.

Defence West invites industry and research organisations to respond to the EOI to help shape Western Australia’s contribution to defence-related manufacturing and supply chain capability.

Responses are welcomed from organisations with existing or emerging capabilities that could contribute to defence related manufacturing and supply chains, including (but not limited to):

Prime contractors and major suppliers
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Research organisations and universities
Enabling sectors (advanced manufacturing, materials, electronics, test & evaluation, safety/quality systems, logistics and sustainment)

Respondents must be headquartered in WA, operate in WA, or demonstrate a clear pathway to establishing capability, partnerships or supply chain activity within the state.

WiDA WA Networking Evening

Join the Women in Defence Association (WiDA) WA community for an evening of purposeful networking ahead of IODS.

This event brings together professionals from across the defence and national security ecosystem to strengthen connections, exchange insights, and build relationships that support capability across the sector — all within a relaxed and accessible environment.

Innovating in Defence Webinar (exclusive for Defence members)

Uniformed innovators face additional considerations when pursuing innovation pathways, including:

ADF innovation pathways
Intellectual property (IP)
Conflicts of interest
Funding and financial considerations
Defence Trailblazer 2026 programs

This webinar will provide practical insights and real-world perspectives to support informed decision making throughout the innovation journey.

Expression of interest to attend

DEADLINE: Defence Trailblazer Commercialisation Bootcamp (Online)

Are you a researcher or innovator with minimal commercialisation experience? Gain valuable entrepreneurship insights and connect with experienced professionals and defence industry experts with the Defence Trailblazer Commercialisation Bootcamp

Format: 2-day intensive workshops
Delivery: Across Australia, both in-person (Adelaide & Canberra) and online
Date for Online Bootcamp: 17-18 June 2026
Cost: Free

What to Expect

Engage with the Defence Market: Learn how to navigate and engage with the defence sector.
Interactive Activities: Participate in hands-on activities to enhance your learning experience.
Value Proposition Pitch Session: Develop and pitch your value proposition for the Australian Defence Force with feedback from expert panels.
Expert Feedback: Receive constructive feedback to refine your business models and commercialisation strategies.

Purpose

These workshops aim to support innovators in understanding the defence market, developing value propositions for the Australian Defence Force, refining business models, and planning early-stage commercialisation approaches.

Submit Your Application by 18 May 2026

Public Event: Defence Innovation on Tap

Truth Under Attack: Understanding Information and Cognitive Warfare and How Research and Innovation are Responding.

The Defence Science Centre and Western Australia’s Team WA Universities including – The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University, warmly invite you to join us for the launch of a new event series, Defence Innovation on Tap.

Over the coming year, this series will deliver four free, public events hosted in local venues across Perth. Each session will showcase how WA universities, together with their defence and industry partners, are addressing complex technological and capability challenges to help build a safer and more resilient state, nation, and global community.

Designed for a broad audience, the discussion will be presented in accessible language, making it an ideal opportunity to gain new insights while connecting with colleagues from across the defence, research, and wider community sectors.

Henderson Alliance May 2026 IODS Event

Join us for an easygoing networking event alongside IODS 2026, bringing together professionals from across the defence, marine and industrial ecosystem.

Whether you are reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new ones, this is your chance to make the most of IODS while enjoying a great atmosphere with the Henderson Alliance community.

Heading to the horizon: innovation showcase and platform launch

For Blue, City of Cockburn and support partners invite you to “Heading to the Horizon”, a showcase of emerging marine, maritime and naval innovations, and launch of new platforms and services for innovators, SMEs, corporates and investors.

This is your opportunity to see a vetted selection of the best innovations from the Cockburn instance of the Blue Gravity incubation program, and to get exclusive insight into the future support for ocean innovators, blue economy export market development and the best pathways and pipeline of ocean innovations.

Please arrive at 15:00 for networking before an official welcome at 15:30 followed by an hour of pitches, panel discussions and announcements, then networking from 16:30 to 17:00.

Shaping the Skies: Advancing Aerial Drone Innovation in WA

Do you have a passion for aerial drone technology? Join decision makers, pilots, researchers, drone builders, and ReOCs for an exciting event as we explore WA’s upcoming developments in aerial drone technology.

This event brings together industry professionals, technology developers, and aspiring enthusiasts from across WA to connect, share the latest developments, and discuss real-world applications in the aerial drone sector. It is designed to foster new connections and spark fresh collaborations and conversations across the community.

Disruptive Science Webinar: Sensing and Materials

Join experts from ANSTO and industry to explore how quantum sensing is transforming nuclear technologies, enhancing safety, strengthening security and unlocking powerful new capabilities for the future.

Quantum technologies are moving rapidly from theory to real world application, including in nuclear technologies. In this webinar, hosted by ScienceMeetsBusiness on behalf of ANSTO, experts explore how quantum sensing could transform capabilities, safety and security across nuclear technologies and other industries.

Join us to discover how ultra-sensitive quantum sensors can enable more precise measurements, earlier detection of anomalies, and enhanced monitoring in complex environments. We will examine practical uses, current research directions on materials, and what these advances could mean for industry, government, and research organisations.

If you work in the nuclear sector, engineering, defence, security, or advanced manufacturing, this session will give you valuable insight into where quantum sensing is heading and why it matters now.