Building Defence Capability: Australia's Infrastructure Investment Outlook 2026–2030

Australia's defence infrastructure is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. The 2026 National Defence Strategy commits US$304 billion (AUD 425 billion) over the next decade, with infrastructure now treated not as a support function, but as a core operational capability that directly determines force readiness.

The Defence Infrastructure & Operational Readiness Market Report 2026–2030 unpacks what this means in practice, covering a five-year market exceeding US$8.5 billion (AUD 12 billion) across base infrastructure, naval hubs, and logistics capabilities, and examining the programmes, technologies, and challenges shaping delivery.

Inside the report, you'll find:

• Where the money is going, from the Base Services Transformation Programme across 100+ bases, to the US$8.6 billion (AUD 12 billion) Henderson Defence Precinct, HMAS Stirling's AUKUS submarine upgrades, and the Defence Theatre Logistics contract
• What's driving investment, rising Indo-Pacific operational tempo, allied integration, distributed northern basing, and the push for sovereign industrial capability
• How technology is reshaping the estate, smart base concepts, digital twins, predictive maintenance, OT/IT convergence, and energy microgrids
• Where execution is falling short, workforce shortages, procurement complexity, and supply chain disruption are the primary risks to readiness outcomes
• What the investment outlook means for industry, where demand is growing and which capabilities are in highest demand through 2030

This report sets the scene for the conversations that will take place at the Defence Infrastructure & Operational Readiness Summit 2026 (4 August, Canberra), and is essential reading for any organisation looking to understand where Australia's defence infrastructure is heading.