Pyne eyes Aust defence exports boost

Christopher Pyne warns Australia needs to snap out its modesty mindset and step up to become a world player in the defence exports stakes.

The defence industry minister has flagged a new emphasis on hunting down export opportunities and showcasing Australia's high tech manufacturing capabilities to other countries during the year ahead.

He's off to the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the US in coming months to spruik the innovation, engineering prowess and top quality wares of Australian firms.

"For far too long we have hidden our light under a bushel," he told an Australian Defence Magazine conference reception on Monday night in Canberra.

"(We) thought the Italians do it better, the French do it better, the Germans sell their wares, the British are quite ruthless and the United States are out there."

Mr Pyne said in comparison Australia's defence industry had been too modest in thinking actions would speak for themselves.

"We believe we do make some of the best equipment and platforms in the world today and we want to sell them," he said, adding that more defence exports would help create jobs.

Australia could compete with the best of the world when it came to building frigates, submarines, parts for the Joint Strike Fighter jets or carrying out vital maintenance services, Mr Pyne said.

According to a global ranking by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute from 2011-2015 Australia came in 20th for defence exports and fifth for imports.