As highlighted in our 2025 Benchmarking Adelaide report, international cities show what’s possible when collaboration is deliberate, long-term, and focused on building a diverse technology ecosystem.

San Diego is a powerful example. Forty years ago, it was largely a Navy town. Today, it has a thriving defence and defence-tech economy with:

•  2,000+ companies
• $40 billion in direct spending
• Over 350,000 jobs (That’s around 20 times larger than Adelaide’s current defence footprint.)

The lesson for Adelaide is clear. If AUKUS is treated as just another defence contract, we miss the real opportunity. But if it’s used as a catalyst for innovation, skills, and spillover industries, Adelaide can grow more than a defence sector. We can build a profitable, sustainable, and globally competitive ecosystem that benefits the whole city.

Click here to download Benchmarking Adelaide to explore the insights.

Benchmarking Adelaide report partners: RAA | JLL | Hames Sharley | Mitsubishi Motors Australia | City of Adelaide | Adelaide Economic Development Agency.

In collaboration with The Business Of Cities.