In this discussion paper, the author unpacks Australia’s strategic plans for the next three decades, including acquiring Virginia class submarines and designing new nuclear-powered submarines.

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.

This report argues that for AUKUS to fully deliver on its promise, significant reforms to the United States' export controls are required to make these more material in their application, and positively discriminatory in favour of AUKUS countries.

This paper endeavours to identify the principal factors that need to be identified and addressed if Australia is to pursue the nuclear propulsion option for its next generation submarines. The author argues that Australia has the capacity to manage these issues, even if it cannot resolve them absolutely.

This report examines the AUKUS announcement and the cancellation of the agreement with Naval Group to build the Attack-class boats, in addition to providing an update on the Department of Defence's accountability and transparency.