Hydrix Secures Invitations to UK and European Defence Industry Forums

Hydrix Limited is targeting the European defence market through attendance at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris and CEO Gavin Coote's participation in the British Australian Defence Catalyst program, as the company executes its international expansion strategy through its newly established Hydrix Defence subsidiary.
By Josua Ferreira -
  • Hydrix Chairman and CEO Gavin Coote has been invited to the British Australian Defence Catalyst in the UK, placing him directly in front of senior government and industry stakeholders shaping AUKUS-related procurement programs across Australia and the United Kingdom.
  • Peter Riddell and Peter Lewis will represent Hydrix at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, one of the world's largest defence exhibitions, providing the company with direct access to European procurement agencies and defence primes.
  • These engagements are the first major international execution steps following the establishment of Hydrix Defence, a subsidiary purpose-built to pursue IP ownership and higher-value contracts in counter-UAS, electronic warfare, and field medical systems.
  • Hydrix completed a $3.89 million institutional raise and $5.113 million debt-to-equity conversion in May 2026, resetting its balance sheet ahead of this international engagement programme.
  • No contracts or revenue have been announced — these activities are relationship-building initiatives that typically precede commercial discussions in defence procurement cycles, which can extend over multiple years.
Summarise with AI:

Hydrix secures high-level defence engagements in Europe

Hydrix Limited has announced that company representatives will participate in two significant European defence industry engagements over the coming weeks as part of its ongoing strategy to expand defence and national security opportunities. The company’s representatives will attend Eurosatory 2026 in Paris and Chairman and CEO Gavin Coote has been invited to the British Australian Defence Catalyst program in the UK.

These engagements form part of Hydrix’s broader defence growth strategy following the recent establishment of Hydrix Defence. Peter Riddell and Peter Lewis will represent the company at Eurosatory 2026, one of the world’s largest defence and security exhibitions, bringing together defence primes, government agencies, military organisations and technology companies from across Europe and allied nations.

The Hydrix Defence subsidiary was established to pursue IP ownership and higher-value contracts across counter-UAS, electronic warfare, and field medical systems, representing a deliberate shift up the value chain from engineering services toward economic ownership of defence technology.

The British Australian Defence Catalyst is a senior industry and government program focused on strengthening defence collaboration between Australia and the United Kingdom. Gavin Coote’s participation in this curated program positions Hydrix directly in front of senior decision-makers from Australia and the United Kingdom at a time when defence spending is accelerating globally.

What is Eurosatory and why does it matter for defence companies?

Eurosatory is a major international defence and security exhibition held in Paris that serves as one of the industry’s premier commercial and networking platforms. The event attracts defence primes, government procurement agencies, military organisations and technology companies from Europe and allied nations, creating a concentrated environment for commercial discussions and partnership development.

For smaller companies like Hydrix, attendance provides direct access to procurement decision-makers, partnership opportunities and visibility within the global defence ecosystem. Trade shows of this calibre often serve as the starting point for commercial relationships and contract discussions in the defence sector, where procurement cycles can extend over multiple years.

For ASX-listed defence companies, participation in tier-one exhibitions signals credibility and provides a pipeline of potential commercial opportunities. The event enables emerging technology providers to demonstrate capabilities to stakeholders who control substantial defence budgets and influence future capability programs.

British Australian Defence Catalyst programme

The Defence Catalyst programme brings together senior representatives from defence industry, government, military and strategic policy organisations from both Australia and the UK. Participants include leaders from major defence primes, advanced technology companies, defence innovation organisations and government stakeholders who are actively shaping future capability programs across Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe.

The programme focuses on four key areas:

  • Emerging defence technologies — advanced systems and platforms under development
  • Sovereign industrial capability — domestic production and supply chain resilience
  • AUKUS-related opportunities — projects and partnerships flowing from the trilateral security pact
  • Future defence collaboration — long-term strategic alignment between the two nations

Gavin Coote was invited to participate in this curated engagement, indicating recognition of Hydrix’s capabilities within the defence innovation community. AUKUS has created substantial new procurement pathways between Australia, the UK and the US, and Hydrix’s direct engagement with stakeholders shaping these programmes positions the company within this expanding opportunity set.

Hydrix Defence capabilities in focus

The company is pursuing technology opportunities across four key defence areas:

Hydrix Defence Technology Capabilities

  • Autonomous systems — unmanned platforms and decision-support technologies
  • Mission-critical electronics — ruggedised systems for demanding operational environments
  • Advanced sensing — detection and monitoring capabilities for defence applications
  • Quantum-enabled navigation technologies — next-generation positioning systems independent of GPS

These capability areas align with priority investment themes across NATO and allied defence budgets, particularly as nations seek to counter peer adversary threats. Allied nations are accelerating investment in advanced technologies, asymmetric capability and next-generation defence systems, creating demand for the types of solutions Hydrix is developing through its recently established Hydrix Defence division.

European defence markets are relevant for these capabilities because allied procurement agencies are seeking technology partners who can contribute to collaborative programs and support sovereign industrial capability objectives. The company’s participation in these forums provides opportunities to position these technologies in front of stakeholders responsible for shaping future capability requirements.

CEO outlines European defence market opportunity

Gavin Coote, Chairman and CEO

“Europe remains one of the world’s most important defence innovation and procurement markets, particularly as allied nations accelerate investment in advanced technologies, asymmetric capability and next-generation defence systems.”

Gavin Coote, Chairman and CEO

“Participation in Eurosatory and the British Australian Defence Catalyst provides Hydrix with the opportunity to engage directly with senior defence industry leaders, government stakeholders, military representatives and technology partners who are actively shaping future capability programs across Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe.”

Management commentary signals clear intent to pursue international defence revenue streams beyond Australia’s domestic market. The framing of these engagements emphasises relationship-building with decision-makers who control procurement budgets and influence capability programs across multiple allied nations.

Strategic context for investors

Hydrix is executing a defence growth strategy that includes establishing Hydrix Defence, developing relevant technology capabilities, and now building relationships with international defence stakeholders. These European engagements represent active execution of the company’s stated defence strategy and expand Hydrix’s addressable market opportunity into European and UK defence procurement.

Hydrix completed a recapitalisation to fund its defence strategy in May 2026, closing a $3.89 million institutional raise alongside a $5.113 million debt-to-equity conversion that materially reset the company’s balance sheet ahead of its current programme of international engagements.

These activities should be viewed as relationship-building initiatives that typically precede commercial discussions in defence procurement cycles. Defence contracts often have long lead times, but early engagement with decision-makers is a necessary precursor to participation in future capability programs and collaborative development opportunities.

While no revenue or contracts are announced, the company is positioning itself within forums where procurement discussions occur and where technology providers establish credibility with government and prime contractor stakeholders. These European engagements complement Hydrix’s existing Australian defence positioning and provide access to additional markets where allied nations are expanding defence technology budgets.

Event Location Hydrix Representatives
Eurosatory 2026 Paris Peter Riddell, Peter Lewis
British Australian Defence Catalyst United Kingdom Gavin Coote (Chairman & CEO)

Want the Next Defence Tech Winner in Your Inbox?

Join 20,000+ investors receiving FREE breaking ASX news within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis on companies like Hydrix. Click the “Free Alerts” button at Big News Blast to get market-moving announcements the moment they drop, with expert coverage already done for you.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the British Australian Defence Catalyst program?

The British Australian Defence Catalyst is a senior industry and government program that brings together leaders from defence primes, advanced technology companies, innovation organisations, and government stakeholders from Australia and the UK to strengthen bilateral defence collaboration, with a focus on AUKUS opportunities, sovereign industrial capability, and emerging defence technologies.

What is Eurosatory and why do ASX defence companies attend?

Eurosatory is one of the world's largest international defence and security exhibitions, held in Paris, attracting defence primes, government procurement agencies, and military organisations from Europe and allied nations. For smaller ASX-listed companies like Hydrix, attendance provides direct access to procurement decision-makers and signals credibility within the global defence ecosystem.

What defence technologies is Hydrix developing?

Hydrix is developing capabilities across four areas: autonomous systems and unmanned platforms, mission-critical ruggedised electronics, advanced sensing and detection systems, and quantum-enabled navigation technologies that operate independently of GPS — all of which align with priority investment themes across NATO and allied defence budgets.

How did Hydrix fund its defence expansion strategy?

Hydrix completed a recapitalisation in May 2026, closing a $3.89 million institutional raise alongside a $5.113 million debt-to-equity conversion, materially resetting the company's balance sheet ahead of its current programme of international defence engagements.

Has Hydrix announced any defence contracts from these European engagements?

No contracts or revenue have been announced from these engagements — Eurosatory 2026 and the British Australian Defence Catalyst are relationship-building and positioning activities that typically precede commercial discussions in defence procurement cycles, which can extend over multiple years.

Josua Ferreira
By Josua Ferreira
Partnership Director
Josua Ferreira holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Advertising and brings a background in publication, business development, and ASX market storytelling. He has worked with listed companies across the resource sector and broader market, combining sharp commercial instincts with a genuine commitment to keeping investors informed.
Learn More
Companies Mentioned in Article

Breaking ASX Alerts Direct to Your Inbox

Join +20,000 subscribers receiving alerts.

Join thousands of investors who rely on StockWire X for timely, accurate market intelligence.

About the Publisher