Today in London, BritishAmerican Business, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, is convening senior UK, US and Australian delegates from the defence, technology and security sectors to discuss how best to drive forward some of AUKUS’ top priorities.

The AUKUS defence and security trilateral partnership goes far beyond the nuclear submarines that Australia will receive at the end of this decade. The agreement’s ‘Pillar 2’ focusses on the joint development and sharing of advanced technologies that will enhance the defence capacity and capability of all three countries. It is this important second pillar that is being discussed today.

Pillar 2’s workstreams include AI, quantum, cyber security, uncrewed systems and electronic warfare capabilities. 

Today’s talks will explore how to integrate new and emerging commercial technologies and relax export controls, identify partnership opportunities, increase interoperability, look at current barriers for SMEs and propose recommendations to policy makers. Learning each other’s capabilities and finding ways to strengthen the alliance will be at the forefront of the day’s objectives.

BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“Today’s meeting underscores the critical need for collaboration in the face of evolving security challenges. Harnessing innovation and expertise between our three countries will bolster our collective defence and security capability at a time of intensifying geopolitical risk.

“The AUKUS partnership has the potential to significantly enhance all three countries’ joint warfare capabilities and it starts with strong co-operation between the private and public sectors.”