Weapons industry heavyweights were among companies that lavished almost half a million dollars' worth of hospitality and gifts on Australian Defence executives and top military personnel.

Government records show sovereign nations, arms manufacturers and private businesses furnished Defence staff with about $490,000 worth of gifts, sponsorships and hospitality in the past four years.

Tickets to the cricket, cocktail parties, fine wine and watches were among the disclosures.

Defence staff are required to register the acceptance or soliciting of gifts, hospitality and sponsorship. The information is kept in a central ledger, which is not published publicly but was made available under freedom of information law.

Six of the world's largest weapons manufacturers are listed on the register: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Airbus, Thales and BAE Systems.