From 2026 until 2028, Adelaide will host an Australian iteration of Undersea Defence Technology (UDT), which has never been held in the Southern Hemisphere before.
However, a European version of the event will continue to be held, with a UDT event taking place in London in April, before the Adelaide event in December.
The Australian UDT is expected to attract up to 2,000 delegates each year, with over half of those attending anticipated to be travelling internationally to take part in the event.
Organised by Clarion Events, UDT will take place at Adelaide Showgrounds next December. Based in the UK, Clarion Events are also delivering the UK UDT event as well as the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) events, which are currently set for three cities around the world.
“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 re-enforcing key alliances between the UK and Australia,” said managing director of Clarion Events Defence and Security, Sally deSwart.
“We welcome the participation and support of the South Australian Government in the planning and organisation of UDT. The input from these officials in the conference program and themes will ensure that UDT is shaped to reflect the requirements of the Australasian and Asia Pacific regions.”
Across its three year run, the event is expected to be worth more than $30 million to Adelaide.
Business Events Adelaide led the bid for the event, with support from Defence SA, Adelaide Economic Development Agency and the City of Adelaide.
“South Australia’s reputation as the defence state has once again been recognised in securing this highly regarded international event to occur outside of Europe for the first time in its 37-year history,” said South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas.
“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.
“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.”
Business Events Adelaide CEO, Damien Kitto, called the win “a true ‘Team Adelaide’ effort”.
“We are grateful for the support we have received to secure it,” said Kitto.
“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.
“Not only will these business events generate a strong financial return for our members but will also provide a significant economic tail of enduring benefits, collaboration and connectivity to defence experts from around the world.”
