The release of the 2026 Defence Innovation, Science & Technology Strategy will headline ADSTAR 2026, setting the agenda for Australia’s defence innovation priorities and signalling the next phase of research and innovation in the national security landscape. 

The strategy will outline six updated IS&T priorities aligned to the 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and Integrated Investment Program (IIP) – providing a practical roadmap for how Defence will harness emerging technologies in an increasingly contested global environment.

More than 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the 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.

The program will feature a high-profile line-up of Defence and international speakers, including:

• Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong
• Chief of the Defence Force Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN
• Air Marshal Robert Chipman AO CSC, Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force
• 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, 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

As Defence, industry and academia move at pace to respond to rapidly evolving threats, ADSTAR 2026 will position itself at the centre of that national and global conversation. 

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

Quotes attributable to Chief Defence Scientist Prof Tanya Monro AC: 

“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.

“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.”

Media note

The full ADSTAR program is available at Program | ADSTAR Summit.

Media must register prior to attending, and can do so by emailing media@defence.gov.au.

Public registrations close 11:59pm ACST on Sunday 26 July.