AUKUS Challenges and Opportunities: How AUKUS Pillar Two Could Help Deter Chinese Aggression

Even before its first submarine is delivered, the AUKUS agreement among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States is a qualified success. By breaking down technology-sharing barriers and implementing allied training and concept development, AUKUS has already improved the ability of American and allied militaries to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific. However, the hard part of the agreement is still to come. Delays in establishing maintenance facilities in Western Australia, Canberra’s resistance to buying US submarines, and budget shortfalls could make AUKUS more rhetoric than reality.

AUKUS Pillar Two, which focuses on new technologies such as uncrewed systems, electromagnetic warfare, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons, offers a path to sustain the momentum behind AUKUS and gain advantages over potential aggressors like China. 

Join Senior Fellow Bryan Clark, MITRE Director for Integrated Deterrence Dr. Chris Bassler, and Strategic Analysis Australia Head of Research Marcus Hellyer for a discussion about AUKUS Pillar Two and the opportunities it holds for sustainable allied force design and deterrence.