The advent of AUKUS has invigorated longstanding discussions within the Australia-US Alliance about established patterns of cooperation within the bilateral defence industry and technology relationship.

Indeed, the success of AUKUS Pillars I and II, as well as that of adjacent initiatives like the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance Enterprise (GWEO), will hinge on the ability of both countries to integrate their defence industrial bases more seamlessly, to share existing technology more readily, and to develop the legal and regulatory frameworks and protections required to innovate together on the next generation of advanced defence capabilities.

To date, these discussions have been confined largely to government-to-government talks, yet the whole-of-nation requirements of AUKUS necessitate other important voices enter the debate. While the role of the private sector in facilitating alliance integration within these vectors is frequently spotlighted, their perspectives across broad-spectrum integration challenges have yet to feature in the public discussion in a way that engenders reciprocal dialogue. Soliciting and considering the views of those who will be tasked with developing and delivering the next generation of advanced defence capabilities through AUKUS and other means has rarely been more important.

This report spotlights points of consensus and divergence within the Australian defence industry community and between Australia and the United States, respectively, on issues central to the realisation of AUKUS.