<P> The scale of the Australian defence industry's exports is greatly outweighed by the scale of imports of military goods and services into Australia . Between 2001 and 2016, the total value of defence exports from Australia measured using the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's methodology represented 6.8 percent of the total value of defence imports into Australia . There was considerable variation in this ratio between years . As of 2018, the total value of Australian defence exports was around $A2 billion per year . While this made Australia the 20th largest exporter of defence goods and services, it represented only around half of one percent of the global arms trade . </P> <P> A 2010 Australian Strategic Policy Institute report stated that "Defence's principal needs from Australian industry are maintenance, repair and upgrading of the ADF's equipment, most of which is imported". This report also noted that at the time it was estimated that manufacturing represented 20 percent of the Australian defence industry's revenue, with sustainment services making up the remainder . </P> <P> In 2018 the Australian Government announced a plan to support the Australian defence industry to expand its exports, with the goal of Australia becoming the 10th largest source of military exports . This will include making $A3. 8 billion in government funding available for loans to companies and establishing an Australian Defence Export Advocate . </P> <P> Several trade journals currently cover the Australian defence industry . These include the Australian Defence Magazine and the Asia - Pacific Defence Reporter . </P>

Principles and practice – australian defence industry and exports