Staff reporter

Now in its fourth year and backed by Principal Partner UNSW Sydney, the awards shine a spotlight on the people and businesses driving Australia’s aviation industry forward. From hundreds of entries, 164 finalists have made the cut.

The Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 is shaping up as the most intellectually ambitious gathering in the event’s history, with organisers confirming a final wave of world-class speakers set to take the stage in Sydney on 17–18 June.

Thomas, who served as part-time airlines editor at Australian Aviation between 2005 and 2018 and went on to found Airlineratings.com, was also a prolific aviation commentator and wrote on the sector for outlets including The West Australian, Business News and Asian Airlines & Aerospace.

The contract has an initial value of $19.3 million, with an additional $5.6 million in options of the end user over a five-year period, according to a statement published on 2 June, and is for the supply of mobile and fixed site counter-drone solutions, comprising hardware, subscriptions, warranties and services.

Innovaero says Vince Di Pietro brings 43 years of defence experience to the Board, along with valuable commercial experience as Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Aviation is proud to reveal that 225 finalists have been selected from more than 300 submissions for the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2026. Now in its eighth year, the program remains the benchmark for excellence across the nation’s defence sector, recognising the people and businesses driving Australia’s strategic edge.