Next-gen awards to supercharge Australia’s aerospace and defence surge

To be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Thursday, 16 July 2026, the reimagined awards and industry accelerator summit will place a sharp focus on the aerospace and aviation sectors, alongside the broader defence ecosystem. The event will highlight the businesses, leaders and innovators advancing Australia’s air and space capabilities while opening new pathways for growth across both domestic and global markets. 

More than a celebration of platforms and products, the refreshed awards program recognises the people and organisations strengthening long-term capability across aviation, aerospace and defence. This spans major primes, SMEs, academic institutions and industry associations, through to — for the first time — system program offices within the Department of Defence. It also recognises the individuals behind the sector’s success, including engineers, technicians, scientists, students, rising stars and established leaders driving next-generation air and space capability.

Defence and aerospace lead at Momentum Media, Steve Kuper, welcomed the launch of the updated awards program and the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Accelerator event.

“Since launching the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Awards in 2019, the industry has evolved immensely. We have sought to reflect that with a host of new categories alongside providing avenues for greater participation and recognition of the important work the Department of Defence does in supporting the industry.”

As part of the expanded program, the Australian Defence Industry Accelerator is designed to help defence and aerospace businesses unlock new opportunities across both domestic and export markets. The initiative will draw on support from venture capital, Export Finance Australia, Team Defence Australia, ODIS, and broader government and industry networks, with a particular focus on scaling sovereign air and space capabilities.

“The inaugural Australian Defence Industry Accelerator event is designed to provide the up and coming business with the knowledge, exposure and support they need to take on the world, supporting the Australian Defence Force and our allies,” Kuper added.

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A total of 28 categories will be contested in 2026, including eight individual awards and 20 group awards. Individual categories will once again recognise excellence across the sector, including those at the forefront of aviation and aerospace innovation, with honours such as Technician of the Year, Female Defence Leader of the Year, Engineer of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and Academic of the Year.

Group categories will highlight organisations delivering impact across aerospace, aviation and the broader defence industry. New additions include the AUKUS Partnership Award, Guided Weapons & Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Program of the Year, Test, Evaluation & Systems Assurance Award, and System Program Office of the Year. These sit alongside established categories such as Aerospace Program of the Year, Cyber Business of the Year, Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, Naval Program of the Year, and SME of the Year.

Open to businesses operating in Australia that support the defence and aerospace supply chain, the awards have become one of the nation’s most sought-after industry accolades, offering national recognition for those helping shape the future of Australia’s air, space and defence capability.

Kuper said: “This refreshed awards program recognises the evolution of Australia’s defence industrial base and the workforce that underpins this critical national capability. I would encourage anyone involved in the nation’s defence industry to nominate today!”

Winners will be announced at a black-tie and mess dress gala ceremony at the National Convention Centre, where attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with leading figures from across Australia’s defence, aviation and aerospace ecosystem.

Submissions and nominations close on Friday, 8 May 2026.

You can review the categories here, and methodology here. Click here to find out how to write an awards submission.

Click here to see how to submit your application. For more information about the awards, click here.