🛡️  Defence & Dual-Use Technology

Australian defence technology
is in demand. The right
channels are the hard part.

We help Australian defence and dual-use technology companies navigate international markets — from Five Eyes procurement portals to Indo-Pacific government-to-government pathways and AUKUS industrial partnerships.

Five Eyes Partners AUKUS Pillar II Indo-Pacific Allies EMDG Eligible DECO Aware

$1,000 audit fee is fully refunded when you start a retainer.

$765B
Combined Five Eyes defence procurement over next decade
AUKUS
Pillar II technology pathways opening now for Australian companies
50%
Retainer cost back via EMDG for eligible defence exporters
The Problem

The opportunity is real. The pathways are complex. Most companies never get started.

Australian defence and dual-use technology companies are producing genuinely world-class capability — autonomous systems, electronic warfare, cyber, advanced sensors, and dual-use industrial technology that allied nations are actively looking for.

But the international defence market doesn't work like commercial B2B. There are export controls to navigate, procurement portals to monitor, government-to-government frameworks to understand, and offset requirements to satisfy. Most companies know the opportunity is there — they just don't know where to start, or don't have the dedicated resource to pursue it.

We don't replace your legal counsel or export control compliance team. We work alongside them to build the BD engine — the prospect intelligence, outreach, and relationship development that turns awareness into pipeline.

"AUKUS creates opportunities but we don't know how to access Pillar II pathways."
"We have US interest but navigating ITAR and DSCA is opaque without the right guide."
"We're in the Australian supply chain but want to go direct to international MODs."
"We have a dual-use product that could sell commercially and to government — we're only doing one."
AUKUS
Pillar II creates direct technology collaboration pathways between Australian industry and US/UK defence primes — the access window is opening now
18–36 mos
Typical timeline from first international MOD contact to contract award — you need pipeline in motion today
$3.4B
Australian defence export value in FY2024 — and growing as allied procurement frameworks improve market access for Australian SMEs
Offset
Many international defence contracts require industrial participation — creating structured entry points for Australian technology suppliers willing to engage early
International Pathways

The markets where Australian defence capability has a structural advantage.

We focus your effort on the pathways with the highest win probability for your specific technology, clearance posture, and export licence position.

🇺🇸
Five Eyes · AUKUS

United States

The world's largest defence market. AUKUS creates new technology sharing frameworks that reduce ITAR friction for Australian companies. Defence primes and OTAs are the primary entry points for technology suppliers.

ITAR · DSCA · OTA vehicles
🇬🇧
Five Eyes · AUKUS

United Kingdom

UK defence procurement is actively seeking allied-nation technology. MOD's Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Find a Tender service are open to Australian suppliers. Strong bilateral relationship.

DASA · MOD · DE&S frameworks
🇨🇦
Five Eyes

Canada

Canada's defence procurement modernisation creates opportunities for allied suppliers. PSPC and Public Works frameworks are accessible. Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy creates structured entry pathways.

PSPC · ITB policy · CFPO
🇯🇵
Indo-Pacific Ally

Japan

Japan's historic shift to defence export and acquisition creates significant new opportunities. ATLA procurement is expanding, and Japan's defence budget has doubled — with explicit intent to acquire allied-nation technology.

ATLA · Quasi-Alliance frameworks
🇸🇬🇮🇩🇵🇭
Indo-Pacific

Southeast Asia

Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines are actively modernising their defence forces and seeking technology partnerships from trusted regional partners. Australia's geographic proximity is a strategic advantage.

DSTA · Mindef frameworks
🇳🇿
Five Eyes · CER

New Zealand

The closest and simplest international defence market for Australian companies. NZDF procurement is open to Australian suppliers under CER and Five Eyes frameworks with minimal export control complexity.

NZDF · CER · MFAT channels
How We Help Defence Companies

Three services. One embedded team. Fully done for you.

Defence export is relationship-intensive, long-cycle, and compliance-aware. We understand the difference between commercial and government sales pathways — and we build BD strategy that works within the constraints of your export licence position.

01 📡  Export Strategy & Pipeline Core retainer
We map the international pathways available to your specific technology — commercial, government-to-government, or allied prime integration — and build the engagement strategy that gets you in front of the right procurement contacts.

We work within the boundaries of your DECO export licence position and coordinate with your legal counsel on export control compliance — we're the BD engine, not the compliance function.
International market selection based on technology, clearance posture, and export licence position
Government-to-government pathway mapping — defence attaché engagement and introductions
AUKUS Pillar II technology collaboration pathway navigation
Industrial participation and offset strategy for offset-requirement markets
Defence prime and OEM subcontractor positioning (Northrop, BAE, Thales, L3Harris)
EMDG application and Austrade Defence Export Adviser coordination
02 ⚡  AI & Automation Standalone or addon
Defence procurement moves slowly — but missing a tender release or a prime contractor procurement window costs months of lost time. We deploy AI monitoring systems that track the procurement signals that matter for your specific technology, across all relevant allied-nation portals and contract vehicles.
Tender monitoring across allied procurement portals — SAM.gov, Find a Tender (UK), MERX (Canada), AusTender
Contract vehicle and standing offer tracking across relevant agencies
Defence prime supplier portal and subcontractor opportunity monitoring
Procurement contact database — MOD, prime, and programme office leads
Pipeline dashboard — full visibility of all active international opportunities
03 📣  Full-Stack Marketing Addon to core retainer
Defence buyers research extensively before they engage. We build the content and presence that earns credibility with programme offices and prime contractors before you're in the room — always within the limits of your security posture and export licence constraints.
Capability briefs and technical marketing within export control and classification limits
Cleared event strategy — Land Forces, Indo Pacific, DSEI, Eurosatory, AUSA
LinkedIn presence for cleared founders and BD directors targeting allied-nation buyers
Outbound to allied prime contractor procurement and BD teams
Website and digital presence calibrated for international defence credibility
Important: Quarterdeck Labs provides BD strategy and execution — we are not export control legal advisers. All engagement work is conducted within the boundaries of your DECO licence position and coordinated with your legal counsel where applicable. Export control compliance remains your responsibility and that of your legal advisers.
The AUKUS Opportunity

The biggest structural shift in Australian defence export in a generation. Are you positioned for it?

AUKUS isn't just about submarines. Pillar II creates new technology sharing and co-development pathways between Australian, US, and UK defence industry — specifically designed to reduce the friction that has historically kept Australian SMEs out of allied-nation procurement.

Companies that build relationships and establish a track record inside allied procurement systems now will be positioned for the contracts that flow as AUKUS matures. The window to be an early mover is open now.

💡 We help you understand which AUKUS Pillar II technology pathways are relevant to your capability and build the BD engagement to capitalise on them.
AUKUS Pillar I
Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway
Primarily a government-to-government and major prime programme. Relevant for specialist industrial suppliers entering the submarine industrial base.
AUKUS Pillar II
Advanced Capabilities — Open to SMEs
AI, autonomous systems, cyber, quantum, undersea, electronic warfare, and hypersonics. This is where Australian technology SMEs can participate directly through tri-lateral collaboration programs.
Dual-Use Technology
Commercial & Defence Markets
Many METS and industrial technology companies have dual-use capability that qualifies for defence procurement — often without the export control complexity of purpose-built military systems.
What an Engagement Looks Like

Month by month. No surprises.

Month 1
Phase 01 — Audit & Strategy
Technology assessment, export licence position, and market selection.
We map your capability against available international pathways, assess your current export control position (in coordination with your legal team where needed), and identify the two or three markets with the highest near-term win probability for your technology at your current stage.
Capability Assessment Pathway Mapping Market Shortlist 90-Day Plan
Months 2–4
Phase 02 — Build
Procurement monitoring live. Contact database built. Outreach begins.
We configure AI monitoring across relevant procurement portals, build your contact database of programme office and prime contractor leads, and begin outreach and warm introductions through our network. Defence attaché engagement scoped and initiated.
Procurement Monitoring Contact Database Outreach Live Attaché Engagement
Months 5–8
Phase 03 — Execute
Meetings with programme offices and prime contractors happening.
Active pipeline in place. You're in discovery meetings with MOD programme offices, prime contractor BD teams, and in-country partners. We handle the qualification, follow-up, and briefing document preparation — so your team is only spending time on the relationships worth investing in.
Pipeline Report Capability Briefs Meeting Support EMDG Lodged
Months 9–12
Phase 04 — Scale
First formal partnerships established. Second market activated.
Teaming arrangements, MoUs, or subcontractor agreements progressing in your primary market. We activate your second geography and apply the validated playbook — now with a track record of allied-nation engagement to accelerate credibility.
Teaming Agreements Second Market Active EMDG Reimbursement 12-Month Review
Australian Government Grant

The EMDG program makes this significantly cheaper than you think.

Australian defence technology companies pursuing export markets are strong EMDG candidates. The grant reimburses eligible export promotion expenses — including advisory, BD automation, and international marketing. Austrade's Defence Export Adviser network can also provide additional support. We manage the EMDG application as part of the engagement.

💡 An $8,500/month retainer becomes approximately $4,250/month after EMDG reimbursement. The grant can also be stacked with Austrade's Defence Exports programs for additional support.
50%
back via EMDG
for eligible clients
Ready to Build Your Export Pipeline?

Start with a $1,000 Growth Audit.
Refunded if you proceed.

A 30–60 minute session plus a written growth plan tailored to your defence technology, export licence position, and target markets. No obligation. If you start a retainer, the fee comes off your first month.

$1,000 · Fully refunded on retainer · No lock-in before the audit