Land Forces 2026 will bring defence, government and industry leaders to Perth this October to showcase the technologies, partnerships and sovereign capabilities.
As Australia’s strategic priorities continue to evolve, Land Forces 2026 is set to provide one of the nation’s most important platforms for defence, industry and government engagement. Returning from 6–8 October 2026 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the international exposition will bring together military leaders, defence primes, SMEs, researchers, innovators and policymakers to examine the future of land capability and national resilience.
With visitor demand expected to be strong, free Trade and Defence Visitor registration for Land Forces 2026 opens in early June.
Supported by the Australian Army, the Western Australian Government, Defence West and Business Events Perth, Land Forces 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for Australia’s defence industry. From sovereign capability development and advanced manufacturing to autonomy, sustainment and digital transformation, the event will showcase the technologies, partnerships and ideas shaping the future land domain.
The three-day exposition is expected to attract senior defence representatives and official delegations from across the Indo-Pacific and allied nations, creating opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers to engage directly with decision-makers, procurement authorities and international partners.
Industry engagement will sit at the centre of the event, with hundreds of exhibitors showcasing capabilities across vehicle systems, robotics, autonomous platforms, communications, munitions, infrastructure, logistics and sustainment. For manufacturers seeking to position themselves within Defence supply chains, Land Forces 2026 offers a direct connection to current and future capability priorities.
A strong focus will also be placed on sovereign industrial capability and Australia’s growing emphasis on self-reliance. As Defence seeks to accelerate capability delivery and strengthen domestic manufacturing resilience, the event will highlight the role Australian industry can play in delivering complex systems and supporting long-term sustainment outcomes.
Innovation will feature prominently throughout the program, including the return of the Land Forces 2026 Innovation Pitchfest and Awards. The initiative is designed to uncover and support emerging Australian technologies and ideas, ranging from early-stage concepts through to developed solutions ready for industry adoption. Across four categories, finalists will present to an engaged audience of Defence representatives, investors and potential partners.
For the first time at Land Forces, Pitchfest finalists will also be showcased within the dedicated Innovation Base precinct on the exhibition floor across all three days of the event. The precinct will provide innovators with increased visibility and opportunities to engage with stakeholders from across the defence ecosystem.
Advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies will also be explored through specialist conference sessions and industry forums. One of the key feature programs, Autonomy in the Joint Military Battlespace, hosted by the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems (AAUS), will examine the growing role of autonomy and uncrewed systems in defence applications. The conference looks to discuss operational requirements, technological advancements and future challenges facing the autonomous systems sector.
The broader conference program reflects the interconnected nature of defence capability development. Sessions across the three days will cover topics including digital transformation, export pathways, supply chain integration, capability acquisition, innovation acceleration and international collaboration.
Highlights include Global Supply Chain “Pitch to the Primes” sessions hosted by the Department of Defence, Defence Export Essentials workshops delivered by Austrade, and discussions focused on enabling Australian industry participation in international programs and allied capability initiatives.
Land Forces will also provide insight into rapidly evolving strategic programs and technologies through presentations including Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s ASCA: Fast Tracking Capability Delivery, and Integrated by Design: Enabling the Modern Land Force hosted by Department of Defence: Defence Science and Technology Group
The Australian Army will play a role throughout Land Forces 2026, leading engagement activities designed to strengthen collaboration between Defence and industry while fostering professional development and innovation. This includes the Chief of Army Symposium, the Army’s premier strategic forum examining the future of land warfare and capability development, alongside the Junior Leaders Forum, which connects emerging Army leaders with industry and thought leaders.
Army Innovation Day and the Australian Army History Unit Display will further contribute to the program, particularly as the Army marks its 125th anniversary in 2026 an important milestone recognising both the service’s legacy and its future direction.
International engagement will remain a defining feature of Land Forces 2026. As Australia deepens defence cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and with allied nations, the event will provide opportunities to strengthen partnerships, explore collaborative capability development and support interoperability initiatives. The continued progression of AUKUS Pillar II initiatives is also expected to shape discussions around advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum and autonomous systems.
The decision to host Land Forces 2026 in Perth reflects Western Australia’s growing importance within Australia’s defence and industrial landscape. With its strategic location, expanding defence footprint and proximity to the Indo-Pacific, Perth provides a platform to connect Australian manufacturers and suppliers with global partners and opportunities.
While hosted in Western Australia, Land Forces 2026 remains a national event that showcases Australian industrial capability and innovation to the world by bringing international defence and industry leaders to Australia.
For manufacturers, suppliers and technology companies seeking to engage with Defence capability programs, strengthen supply chain relationships and better understand future operational requirements, Land Forces 2026 represents an opportunity to be part of the national conversation shaping Australia’s future land capability.
Free Trade and Defence Visitor registration opens early June. Visit landforces.com.au.
