Sovereign capability.
International ambition.
Australian defence and dual-use technology companies are building real capability. We help you develop the BD strategy to access allied-nation procurement — within the constraints of your export licence position.
$1,000 audit fee is fully refunded when you start a retainer.
Defence export is not like METS export. Buyers are different, procurement pathways are longer, and the trust threshold is higher. Quarterdeck Labs works with a specific part of the market: Australian companies with sovereign capability or dual-use technology looking to build international partnerships, offset structures, or direct commercial relationships — without compromising compliance or security posture.
We help you navigate the pathways that matter: Australian Industry Capability (AIC) programs, the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS), capability development initiatives, government-to-government engagement channels, and the industry networks and events where real relationships are built. Export compliance and DECO awareness are part of how we work — not an afterthought.
Four defence export pathways — and how we use them.
Success in defence export requires knowing which pathway applies to your technology, your export licence position, and the specific market. These are the four we work with most — and how each one creates commercial opportunity.
AIC & Offset Arrangements
Australian Industry Capability programs and industrial participation requirements for major allied procurement programs. Offset structures create entry points for SME suppliers — if you know how to position for them ahead of the tender release.
CASG · DSR · Offset RequirementsODIS Registration
The Office of Defence Industry Support and allied-nation supplier directories are the foundation of prime contractor and program office visibility. We manage your positioning within these directories — and target the right primes with your capability.
ODIS · DIB Portals · Supplier DirectoriesCapability Program Alignment
Matching your technology to active capability development programs — Land, Air, Maritime, Cyber — across Five Eyes and allied-nation defence forces. The right program alignment determines whether your outreach reaches the decision-maker or the wrong inbox entirely.
Capability Programs · AUKUS Pillar II · DEF STANGovernment-to-Government Engagement
For markets where G2G relationships precede commercial engagement, defence attaché introductions and in-country government channels are the only realistic entry point. We scope and initiate this engagement as part of the strategy phase.
Defence Attachés · G2G · Allied MODsWe work with a specific kind of defence company.
You don't need to be a Tier-1 prime to access export markets. We work with SMEs that have proven sovereign IP and a domestic track record worth building on internationally.
Companies with a domestic defence contract history looking to extend into UK, Canadian, or US supply chains — where your track record is real credibility, but you need the right introduction pathway to use it.
Products serving both defence and commercial markets, where the export pathway may run through civilian channels but the buyer network overlaps with defence procurement. We understand how to position dual-use capability for each market.
If your primary export offer is in advanced manufacturing — physical components, precision systems, or industrial technology that has defence applications but is commercialised through industrial supply chains — see how we help advanced manufacturers →
The opportunity is real. The pathways are complex. Most companies never get started.
Australian defence and dual-use technology companies are building autonomous systems, electronic warfare, cyber, advanced sensors, and industrial technology that allied nations are actively sourcing.
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 — handling the prospect intelligence, outreach, and relationship development that turns awareness into pipeline.
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.
Month by month. No surprises.
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.
for eligible clients
Our team has direct experience navigating the government-to-government and prime-contractor channels that define defence export. We have supported Australian defence technology companies through the relationship-building and procurement pathway work required to access allied-nation supply chains.
Two questions we hear most. Answered directly.
"Defence procurement is opaque — we don't know where to start."
Start with your technology. We map the international pathways available to your specific capability — commercial, G2G, allied prime integration — rather than giving you a generic introduction to defence export. The right starting point depends entirely on what you make and who needs it.
"We're a small supplier — do we have a realistic chance in export markets?"
Most successful defence export stories start with subcontractor or teaming arrangements, not prime contracts. We position you for the realistic first step — often a teaming agreement with a prime or a subcontract under a larger program — not the moonshot.
Two ways in.
Both low-risk.
Whether you want a structured diagnostic first or just want to talk to us directly — both paths lead to the same outcome: a clear picture of what your export growth should look like.
Growth Audit
A deep assessment of your export readiness, target markets, and highest-leverage moves. You get a written plan — and the audit fee is refunded when you start a retainer.
Book a Growth Audit →Strategy Call
Talk to us about your export ambition. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help — and how. No prep required, no pitch, no obligation.
Book a 30-Minute Call →Not sure if we're the right fit? Take the 3-minute export readiness quiz →