The authors of this report assert that AUKUS is a generational opportunity for Australia. Its focus on critical Pillar 2 technologies has the potential to bring Australian businesses to the world stage, and lift the nation’s defence industry up to the state-of- the-art in a range of modern capabilities.

This paper explores former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard’s enduring legacy, examining how his tenure laid the foundational principles that would guide Australia from traditional security arrangements to the innovative and technologically advanced partnership of AUKUS.

Developed in response to last year’s Defence Strategic Review, the 2024 National Defence Strategy outlines the Australian Government’s strategic framework to guide the significant and urgent changes required to address Australia’s challenging strategic circumstances. Together, the Strategy and 2024 Integrated Investment Program provide a blueprint to deliver an ambitious transformation of the Australian Defence Force.

The United States and its allies are in a strategic competition with China in which the race to develop and deploy emerging technologies will play a decisive role. Pillar Two of the trilateral AUKUS agreement, which focuses on jointly developing advanced capabilities between the three countries, holds the potential to supercharge progress.

The authors of this paper assert that Australia must invest in defence capability commensurate with the challenges of the strategic environment. Crucially, the role of defence to help deter wars, while being ready for times of conflict, requires spending even in times of relative peace.