Inside the heavily guarded halls of the Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, described the event as “a kind of Disneyland … the happiest place on Earth” for some attendees. Meanwhile, outside, a starkly different scene unfolded as protesters decried the presence of the arms conference, chanting, “War criminals are not welcome here,” and “Shame, shame, shame.”
The protests took a violent turn when demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in injuries on both sides. According to police reports, officers were “set upon,” while protesters claimed they were attacked from multiple angles and were subjected to pepper spray.
The Dual Realities of the Indo-Pacific Expo
Inside the exposition, Marles emphasized the event’s significance as an opportunity to collaborate with international navies and industry leaders on shared challenges and future capabilities. The expo showcased a wide array of military technology, described by Marles as “awesome power” and “ingenious autonomous systems.”
However, the grandeur inside the expo starkly contrasts with the ongoing global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. These two opposing perspectives highlight the deep divide between the event’s attendees and its detractors.
Global Arms Industry and Australia’s Role
The Indo-Pacific Expo underscores Australia’s deep integration into the global arms industry. Among the exhibitors, Elbit Systems Australia, a subsidiary of Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, occupied a central position in the hall. This presence is particularly contentious given the April 2024 death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza, reportedly due to an Israeli drone strike involving Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 drone.
Lockheed Martin, another major player at the expo, participated in a networking event hosted by Australia’s Defence Department. The company is known for manufacturing the F-35 strike fighter, heavily used in Gaza. More than 70 Australian companies contribute to the F-35’s global supply chain, with critical components manufactured in Victoria.
“These actions, despite clear obligations and compounding concerns, indicate an intent to facilitate Israeli crimes,” wrote Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories.
Controversial Connections and Ethical Concerns
Raytheon, recently rebranded as RTX Corporation, prominently displayed its missile systems at the expo. The company is linked to the production of the GBU-12 bomb, used in a 2022 airstrike in Yemen that killed nearly 100 civilians. The Australian government’s future fund holds a significant investment in Raytheon, raising ethical questions about Australia’s involvement in global arms manufacturing.
The same Yemeni detention center was struck again in April, with Amnesty International labeling the attack as a potential war crime. The GBU-39 bombs used in the strike are produced by Boeing, another exhibitor at the expo.
“We take all reports of civilian harm seriously and are working to release the assessment results for Operation Rough Rider soon,” a spokesperson for US naval forces central command said.
Beyond the Expo: The Broader Implications
The language used within the expo is precise yet detached, with weapons described as “capabilities” and “solutions.” This terminology omits the human cost of these technologies, focusing instead on their strategic value.
Outside, as the protests dwindled, a brief moment of distraction came when a small plane wrote a wedding proposal in the sky, momentarily diverting attention from the ongoing controversy.
The Indo-Pacific Expo highlights the complex interplay between national defense obligations and the ethical implications of arms manufacturing. As global conflicts persist, the debate over Australia’s role in the arms industry is likely to continue, with both sides of the argument remaining deeply entrenched in their respective worldviews.
