Ramping up Australia's international marketing efforts to improve defence export opportunities will be a key priority if the federal government wins the July 2 election.
Defence Materiel Minister Dan Tehan made the pledge at the Defence and Industry Conference in Canberra on Wednesday.
"As a former diplomat, maximising defence export opportunities for Australian industry is ... of critical importance to me," he said.
Australia's marketing needed to be more professional and at the moment it lagged behind that of other countries.
"Our second rate program will not help promote and export our first rate capabilities," Mr Tehan said.
He promised defence manufacturer representatives an open door and a listening ear.
Mr Tehan is especially keen to hear more from small and medium businesses and to speak with state and territory governments about sustaining the industry.
The government needed to speak with industry much earlier so both sides can meet each other's expectations, he said.
"Defence needs to become a smart buyer," Mr Tehan said.
"This means moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach."
Labor spokeswoman Gai Brodtmann also acknowledged prime contractors for military equipment and munitions were overlooking Australia's defence industry as participants in the global supply chain.
She attributed the trend to governments around the world introducing policies to preference and guard their own defence industries.
An estimated 120 countries had these programs.
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