- The Chiefs of Navy for
all three AUKUS nations will gather in Perth for the first time to attend the
Indian Ocean Defence and Security conference (IODS)
- Attendance of high-ranking international military
delegates confirms the strategic importance of Western Australia in the
Indo-Pacific
- IODS will take place from 24-26 July 2024 at
Perth Convention Centre
Western Australia's growing defence importance has been
made clear, with the Chiefs of Navy for the three AUKUS nations to attend the Indian
Ocean Defence and Security conference in Perth.
The United States of America's Chief of Naval Operations Admiral
Lisa Franchetti, United Kingdom First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Benjamin Key and
Australia's Vice Admiral Mark Hammond will all attend the event.
Their visit to Perth will mark the first time the US, UK
and Australian Chiefs of Navy have been in Australia at the same time.
Having key naval figures attend IODS reflects the critical
importance of Western Australia in the acquisition of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered
submarines that will be based at HMAS Stirling.
From 2027, Perth will also be home to US and UK sailors who
crew five nuclear-powered submarines on rotation through WA.
The biennial conference and international industry
exhibition will highlight challenges and opportunities for international
engagement, and discuss how industry may support diplomacy, defence and
security policy in the region.
It will also feature events focused on defence career
options, designed to attract a greater number of graduates and skilled
professionals to the State's growing defence industry.
In 2022, IODS saw over 600 attendees with many government,
academic and defence industry representatives travelling from interstate and
overseas.
For more information on IODS, please visit: https://iods.com.au/
Comments
attributed to Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia:
"Having all three AUKUS nations' Chiefs of Navy attend our
Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference reinforces Western Australia's central
role in delivering and the ongoing sustainment of nuclear submarines.
"The rotation of nuclear-powered submarines through HMAS
Stirling is a significant opportunity for our local defence industry and will
support the diversification of our economy and create more jobs for Western
Australians.
"The Cook Government's continued investment in our local
defence industry, including the IODS conference, further shows our confidence
in Western Australia's capability to support AUKUS."
