Australia and UK detail new AUKUS industry steps, 2026

On 23 February 2026, Luke Pollard MP hosted Australia’s Pat Conroy MP in London to restart the Australia–UK Defence Industry Dialogue. Think of this as the practical workshop for AUKUS: the place where ministers turn alliance goals into factory orders, trials and training plans. The joint statement sets a clear intention to strengthen industrial capacity together and support deterrence in the Indo‑Pacific. (gov.uk)

A quick refresher helps. AUKUS has two tracks. Pillar I is about building and sustaining a new class of conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarines called SSN‑AUKUS. Pillar II is about fast‑tracking advanced tech such as AI, autonomous systems, hypersonics, cyber and electronic warfare so the three forces can act together more smoothly. This London meeting touched both pillars, linking policy to near‑term industry tasks. (gov.uk)

Radars were top of the tech list. Ministers noted progress on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar collaboration and agreed targeted “risk‑reduction” work so engineers can test the fit before any big spending. In plain English, an AESA radar uses thousands of tiny transmit‑receive modules to point its beam electronically, letting a jet spot, track and even jam several targets at once. The RAF’s ECRS Mk2 programme shows what AESA can do; the UK is now exploring Australian AESA options too. (gov.uk)

Australia also invited the UK to observe 2026 testing of the MQ‑28A Ghost Bat at the Woomera Range. That request follows December 2025 trials in which a Ghost Bat fired an AMRAAM air‑to‑air missile-evidence that autonomous collaborators are shifting from theory to live weapons work. Expect conversations about a UK demonstration later on. (gov.uk)

You’ll see the phrase “directed‑energy” in the statement. Here it means high‑power lasers or microwaves that can disable drones or sensors at the speed of light. Ministers also backed software‑enabled planning-shared digital tools that help UK and Australian teams plan complex missions on the same datasets. Both items are about making joint operations faster and safer. (gov.uk)

Another classroom word you’ll meet here is “energetics”. These are the explosive and propellant chemicals inside munitions-from small‑arms rounds to large missiles. The UK and Australia want more reliable supplies after recent global shortages. The UK has already asked industry to boost domestic energetic materials like RDX and HMX; both countries now plan deeper cooperation so production and testing keep pace with demand. (gov.uk)

Critical minerals also featured. These are the rare elements that make advanced chips, batteries, magnets and guidance systems work. Ministers agreed to share information, back joint research and keep routes open to the ores and processed materials modern defence manufacturing needs. In practical terms, this is about mapping who supplies what, then building enough slack into the system to ride out shocks. (gov.uk)

There’s a steel story too. Submarines use specialised steels and forgings, so both countries will look for ways to strengthen that base. On trade, ministers want “frictionless” defence commerce between the UK and Australia, removing hurdles like security clearances and mismatched cyber standards. It fits with recent US steps to relax export‑control rules for trusted AUKUS partners, cutting licence burdens on most defence tech flows. (gov.uk)

For Pillar I, the statement highlights HMS Anson’s visit to Perth as a stepping stone to Submarine Rotational Force‑West, when UK and US nuclear‑powered boats rotate through Western Australia from as early as 2027. These regular deployments help Australia build the skills to host, maintain and later operate its own SSNs safely under the “Optimal Pathway”. (gov.uk)

Skills transfer is already moving. More Australian staff are embedded at BAE Systems’ Barrow shipyard, while the Royal Navy is training around 1,000 Australians for the programme. On the UK side, Rolls‑Royce is expanding its Raynesway site in Derby to build the next generation of submarine reactors that will power SSN‑AUKUS for both navies-a major long‑term industrial commitment. (gov.uk)

Ministers also pointed to Pillar II, where the goal is to deliver usable capabilities quickly, not just blueprints. Official AUKUS updates describe near‑term tasks like joint experiments, integrated autonomous systems at sea and stronger command‑and‑control networks-the kind of plumbing that lets allies plug kit together with less friction. (gov.uk)

One more headline from London: backing for Ukraine continues. Australia confirmed support to explore UK weapons testing at Australian ranges, especially for longer‑range systems that could help on the battlefield. It’s a reminder that AUKUS work is meant to strengthen security in the Indo‑Pacific and in Europe at the same time. (gov.uk)

What this means for you as a learner or early‑career professional is clear. AUKUS is not just submarines; it’s sensors, software, energetics, high‑reliability welding, cyber standards and export controls. Watch for March trade missions and industry outreach tied to the Underwater Defence Technology show in London-useful moments to track internships, apprenticeships and research links. (gov.uk)

Keep this short glossary handy as you read future updates. AESA radar: an electronically steered radar that can track and jam multiple targets. Energetics: the explosive and propellant materials inside munitions. MQ‑28A Ghost Bat: Australia’s autonomous “loyal wingman” aircraft now in live‑fire testing. SRF‑West: a planned UK/US rotational SSN presence in Western Australia to build Australian skills. SSN‑AUKUS: the next‑generation, conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarine for the UK and Australia. Optimal Pathway: the phased plan that gets Australia from training and visits to operating its own SSNs. Directed‑energy: high‑power lasers or microwaves used to disable threats. Software‑enabled planning: shared digital tools that let allied teams plan and adapt missions together.