NEWS - ARTICLE

The Chiefs of Navy for all three AUKUS nations will gather in Perth for IODS 2024 with this week's announcement United States of America's Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti will attend the event.

Admiral Franchetti will join United Kingdom First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key and Australia's Vice Admiral Mark Hammond at IODS 2024 to be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 24-26 July.

The gathering will mark the first time the Chiefs of Navy for all three AUKUS nations have been in Australia at the same time.

The biennial Indian Ocean Defence & Security 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. In 2024, IODS will explore the theme: Where AUKUS Meets the Quad.

Western Australian Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said having key naval figures attend IODS 2024 reflects the critical importance of Western Australia in the acquisition of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines that will be based at HMAS Stirling.

"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," he said.

"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."

Registration to attend IODS 2024 will open Monday 18 March.

For more information: https://iods.com.au/registration/