Gitsham Defence Showcases Australian Manufacturing Capability at Land Forces 2026
Gitsham Defence, part of Gitsham Automotive, has successfully wrapped up Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2026, marking a productive week of industry engagement, new connections and opportunities for future collaboration.
Exhibiting as part of the Defence SA stand, Gitsham Defence proudly represented South Australian manufacturing capability, showcasing its Light Tactical Vehicle Service Body and accessories to representatives from Defence, government and industry.
Pictured (left to right): Robert Statham (CEO), & Chris McGreevy (CFO), Bespoke Manufacturing Group.
A Strong Start to Land Forces 2026
The week began with Gitsham Defence attending the Defence SA Reception at the Hilton, followed by the Land Forces Dinner at Optus Stadium.
Both events provided valuable opportunities to connect with government representatives, defence industry leaders and fellow Australian manufacturers, setting the stage for a productive three days at the exposition.
Three Days of Exceptional Industry Engagement
Throughout the three-day Land Forces 2026 exhibition, Gitsham Defence received exceptional interest in its, independently ADR crash tested, Australian made, Light Tactical Vehicle Service Body and accessories, generating valuable discussions around operational requirements, Australian manufacturing and purpose-built systems for Defence.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore the service body up close, including its integrated REDARC Electronics REDWorks Pioneer50 Power Panel with RedVision, enabling control of the electric doors and integrated lighting directly through the RedVision app.
Drawing on Gitsham Automotive's established manufacturing expertise, Gitsham Defence continues to develop specialist vehicle systems with a focus on quality, durability and practical functionality.
A highlight of the exhibition was welcoming The Hon Christopher Pyne, former Australian Minister for Defence, to the Gitsham Defence display. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the company's growing defence capabilities and commitment to Australian manufacturing.
Exhibiting alongside other South Australian businesses at the Defence SA stand further reinforced the state's important contribution to Australia's sovereign defence capability.
Pictured (left to right): Robert Statham (CEO), the Hon Christopher Pyne (former Australian Minister for Defence), Maria Jazdauskiene (Group Marketing Manager), and Chris McGreevy (CFO).
Strengthening International Defence Connections
Gitsham Defence's participation at Land Forces 2026 extended beyond the exhibition floor, with the team also attending the Poland–Australia Defence Industry Dialogue – Building Resilient Capability Together.
Th event brought together representatives from government and the defence industry to explore opportunities for stronger cooperation between Australia and Poland.
Pictured (left to right): Robert Tkaczyk (Defence Attaché of the Republic of Poland to the Commonwealth of Australia), Tim Cadman (Director of Lynk Advisory, representing WB Electronics), Anamika Mishra ( Director for Defence at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission - Austrade), and Rafal Jarosz (Trade Commissioner of Poland to Australia and New Zealand).
Discussions focused on resilient defence capability, international industry partnerships, manufacturing expertise and opportunities for future collaboration between Australia, Poland and the broader European defence industry.
For Gitsham Defence, attending the dialogue provided valuable exposure to international defence industry perspectives and an opportunity to better understand the importance of cooperation in supporting long-term capability development.
Pictured (left to right): Robert Statham, H.E. Karolina Cemka (Chargée d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland in Australia), and Chris McGreevy.
Three Days of Industry Engagement and New Opportunities
Across the three days of Land Forces 2026, the Gitsham Defence team engaged in a wide range of discussions with representatives from government, Defence, manufacturers, suppliers and industry organisations.
The exceptional interest in the Light Tactical Vehicle Service Body and accessories provided an encouraging response to the company's specialist product offering. Beyond showcasing its equipment, the exposition created opportunities to exchange technical insights, discuss emerging industry requirements and establish new connections that may support future collaboration.
The event also provided a valuable opportunity to gain a broader understanding of developments across the defence sector, particularly the increasing importance of sovereign manufacturing capability, resilient supply chains and industry partnerships.
These conversations will help inform Gitsham Defence's ongoing engagement with the market as it continues to develop its presence within Australia's defence industry.
Building on the Momentum
Land Forces 2026 was an important milestone for Gitsham Defence, providing a platform to showcase its capabilities, engage with key industry stakeholders and establish new relationships across the Australian and international defence community.
As part of Gitsham Automotive, Gitsham Defence remains committed to advancing Australian manufacturing, supporting sovereign defence capability and delivering purpose-built vehicle systems for the defence sector.
A sincere thank you to Defence SA, the event organisers and everyone who visited our display or connected with the team throughout the week. We look forward to building on the opportunities and relationships established at Land Forces 2026.
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