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AUKUS Connect

Learn about joining the AUKUS Connect Program

Achieving your full potential

In an era marked by rapidly evolving security challenges, the importance of collaboration between industry, researchers, and defense organizations cannot be overstated. 


The AUKUS Connect program is a ground breaking initiative to build bridges between key stakeholders across the AUKUS Member Nations. 


Spearheaded by industry specialist Michael Sharpe, the program seeks to foster partnerships, promote knowledge sharing, and leverage innovative technologies to address defense industry needs.


At the heart of our mission is the drive to support industry, particularly SME's in their growth trajectories and to unlock their export potential. By fostering strategic partnerships, we aim to cultivate a robust ecosystem where people can contribute to and benefit from the largest industrial project in Australia's history. 


We foster collaboration across communities, bringing together individuals who may not typically engage in the field of national security. Our collective efforts drive innovation in national security and facilitate the development of technologies that directly benefit those entrusted with safeguarding our nations.

Only available to AUKUS Connect Program members.

Apply now

Where Industry Meets Alliance

The alliance is at its strongest when it is both local and global—anchored in communities, yet connected across borders.


Through AUKUS Connect, the Forum leads targeted delegations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, creating face-to-face opportunities with decision-makers.


Guided by Michael Sharpe, these missions deliver strategic insights and direct access to Australian, British, and American innovation hotspots. Participants gain pathways to capital, research collaborations, and AUKUS market opportunities, supported by our team and trusted local partners.


The AUKUS Forum exists at the intersection of industry, academia, government, and defense—not bound by borders, but united by opportunity.


We see AUKUS not only through submarines, but through Pillar Ii Technologies: —AI, cyber, quantum, hypersonics, undersea robotics—are redefining the future of defense and industry across three nations.


Our mission is simple: connect and amplify these strengths.


Register now to join our next delegation.


Contact: Cathy@aukusforum.com

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AUKUS Connect - Stronger Together

Supporting the Official Launch of Titomic to the United States

At Titomic, we see the AUKUS partnership as more than a security pact — it’s an industrial opportunity. The AUKUS Forum builds clear pathways toward AUKUS-related technologies and supply chains, helping organisations identify opportunities, connect across sectors, and grow capability and industrial readiness across the three nations.

To make the AUKUS pact truly effective, shared capability in the production, operation, and sustainment of critical platforms — including submarines — is essential. This is where advanced manufacturing technologies like cold spray can make a real impact.

Cold spray technology enables the rapid and efficient production of high-performance metal parts without melting, eliminating distortion, minimising waste, and cutting lead times.

For sustainment, cold spray allows structural repairs and component restoration directly on the asset — with no heat, no disassembly, and no disruption to surrounding systems.

In marine environments, cold spray can apply multi-metal coatings that protect against corrosion and reduce drag, extending service life and enhancing performance under harsh conditions.

🎥 Watch the conversation with Titomic’s Jim Simpson and Patti Dare, alongside the AUKUS Forum’s Michael Sharpe and Matthew Netherwood, via the link below


👉 https://titomic.com/2025/05/26/titomic-manufacturing-aukus/

AUKUS Connect - Across Nations

DEEP Manufacturing

Great Britain - Spotlight on Bristol 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸

Where Advanced Manufacturing Meets AUKUS Collaboration

No filters. No fluff. Just raw industrial power — sparks flying and capability being built in real time.

The AUKUS Forum went straight to the source — DEEP Manufacturing in Bristol, home to one of the largest WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) operations in the world.

We saw it up close:

🔩 Multi-arm systems building massive components — some over 6 metres in diameter

⚓ Real-world applications for submarines, offshore platforms, and critical infrastructure

🎯 Live welding demos, supply chain deep dives, and tough conversations about standards and certification

What made this special? It wasn’t just the machines. It was the mix of people we invited:

• Shipbuilders and suppliers
• Defence experts and researchers
• Innovators ready to move from prototype to production
BattleLab; Leidos; Babcock International Group; Kahootz; Royal Navy; Haskoning; University of Strathclyde; Assystem; Programme Success; OCEA Shipbuilding (UK) Ltd; AtkinsRéalis; BAE Systems; UK Ministry of Defence; AMRC; OMEGA SINTO FOUNDRY MACHINERY LIMITED

All part of the AUKUS Connect program — building trust and capability at ground level.

DEEP Manufacturing CEO, Peter Richards - "Great to be able to host the AUKUS Forum at our Portside facility today. Fantastic engagement from a broad cross section of the industry, exploring the real benefits that Wire Arc Additive can bring to the sector with speed, quality and scale of production. Thanks to all the DEEP Manufacturing team for their support."

AUKUS Connect actively promotes the establishment of partnerships between industry and defence organisations. The program enables industry players to understand the defence sector's specific needs and tailor their solutions accordingly. 

Apply now

AUKUS Connect - National Press Club

National Press Club, Canberra — Insider Threat Panel

At the National Press Club in Canberra, the AUKUS Forum hosted a landmark panel on insider threats — spotlighting the critical role of human-centric security in national defence.


For MPS People Security Risk Management, this event marked a pivotal moment.


“Prior to engaging with the AUKUS Forum, our focus was on bridging a critical gap in the security industry — addressing the human factor in security risks,” said MPS. “We had the expertise, but not the networks or visibility to scale into the defence sector.”

Before joining AUKUS Connect, MPS had invested heavily in developing an Insider Threat Practitioner’s Course with Dr. Eric Shaw, aiming to align people-related security with national defence priorities. Their challenge was clear:


“We recognised a gap in awareness around insider threats. Most efforts were focused on cyber or physical security, but not people. We needed access to decision-makers and real collaboration to tailor our solutions to defence needs.”

AUKUS Connect changed that.


  • 🚀 Platform for Launch — The National Press Club panel became the official launch of MPS’s insider threat training platform, co-organised with the AUKUS Forum and moderated by CEO Michael Sharpe.
    “The AUKUS team didn’t just open doors — they stood beside us to make sure we walked through them,” said Tanya Jefferis - Chief Security Risk at MPS
  • 🤝 Direct Access to Decision-Makers — The event connected MPS with key defence stakeholders across government, industry, and academia.
    “Access to high-level contacts and decision-makers that would have been hard to reach on our own was invaluable.”
  • 🌐 Strategic Support and Mentorship — The Forum’s leadership provided hands-on guidance to shape their defence market approach.
    “We joined AUKUS Connect because it offered exactly what we needed: a collaborative launchpad.”
  • 📢 Credibility and Reach — Association with the largest industrial mobilisation in Australia’s history amplified their credibility and visibility overnight.
    “Being able to say ‘as presented at the National Press Club with AUKUS Forum’ is a powerful endorsement for us.”


Since the event, MPS has expanded its national profile and is preparing follow-on activities through AUKUS Connect’s virtual platforms — including a webinar with Dr. Eric Shaw and DTEX.


“The support we’ve received from the AUKUS Forum has been nothing short of outstanding,” MPS concluded. “This collaboration gave us the reach, the credibility, and the partnerships to grow far beyond what we could have done alone.”

This story captures the core mission of AUKUS Connect — building bridges between innovative SMEs and defence opportunities across Australia, the UK, and the US.

AUKUS Connect actively promotes the establishment of partnerships between industry and defence organisations. The program enables industry players to understand the defence sector's specific needs and tailor their solutions accordingly. 

Apply now

AUKUS Connect - Building the Alliance

Sloanebuilt Testimony

Sloanebuilt is an innovative manufacturer of quality heavy vehicle trailers that are nationally renowned for their strength, durability, and reliability. Now diversifying into defence industry needs.


"Sloanebuilt is honoured to be a part of the AUKUS Connect initiative, an alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.


Recognized as the 2023 Australian Owned Business of the Year, we stand committed to manufacturing excellence and contribution to the country's development. As a proudly Australian company, our focus is to uphold the highest standards of quality, innovation, and reliability. Our history is a testament to our dedication, and we look forward to contributing to the success of defence projects and beyond.


Thanks Michael Sharpe for this opportunity and collaboration with Sloanebuilt to deliver excellence and uphold our commitment to the industries and to our country."


#AUKUS #Sloanebuilt #Partnership #AUKUSConnect

#StrongerTogether

AUKUS Connect actively promotes the establishment of partnerships between industry and defence organisations. The program enables industry players to understand the defence sector's specific needs and tailor their solutions accordingly. 

Apply now

THE LARGEST INDUSTRIAL PROJECT IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

New investment in skills paves the way for AUKUS workforce

Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program will be the most transformative industrial endeavour in the nation's history – exceeding in scale, complexity, and economic significance the creation of an Australian automotive manufacturing sector and the construction of the Snowy Hydro Scheme. 

Nuclear Taskforce Chairman, Michael Sharpe said "We are bringing industry and researchers together to support Defence projects for today and for the decades to come. We are working to help plan and build the skilled workforce needed for Australia’s future."

Infrastructure for Australia

A new submarine base will be built on the east coast of Australia to support the nation’s new nuclear-powered submarines, providing deployment opportunities in both the Indian and Pacific oceans. 


In the US at Newport News Shipping (NNS) Virginia, a Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility, funded jointly by the US Navy and Huntington Ingall Industries (HII) is part of US$1.9 billion in capital investments HII is making at NNS between 2016 and 2025. NNS is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy.

Technical Skills to work on Nation-Changing Projects

Developing a pipeline of highly skilled STEM graduates and a talented skilled workforce will build Australia’s sovereign industry capabilities, playing a crucial role in delivering on our AUKUS commitments, and strengthening national security.


Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles said:  

“The Albanese Government understands that front and centre of the success of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines will be the many thousands of Australians who help build them. “We need to start investing in those skills now – this is a project which starts this year and will span decades with enormous opportunities.”

Boosting Australia's Skills and Industry Capabilities

The first major initiative of AUKUS was the historic trilateral decision to support Australia acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. A Joint Leaders Statement has announced the pathway to achieve this critical capability. 


"This plan is designed to support Australia’s development of the infrastructure, technical capabilities, industry and human capital necessary to produce, maintain, operate, and steward a sovereign fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Australia is fully committed to responsible stewardship of naval nuclear propulsion technology."

Skills and Training for AUKUS

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy said: 

“The AUKUS submarine program will be the most transformative industrial endeavour in Australian history.


“Young Australians starting training now have a bright future ahead of them with secure high skilled, well paid jobs that will make an important contribution to Australia’s defence industry and our national security.”

Thousands of new jobs for Australians

While HMAS Stirling in Western Australia will continue as the west coast submarine base, the new east coast base will be the home port for half of the new nuclear-powered submarine fleet, supported by industry for operations and maintenance.  The economic benefits to the chosen location will be significant: a spend in the region of $5–10 billion to develop the base, ongoing employment of 3,000 to 5,000 personnel, and an array of industries and services supporting these workers and their families. As an example, the Garden Island Defence Precinct in Sydney injects an estimated $842 million into its local economy annually, with around $286 million in salaries. 

Collaboration with Industry, Academia and Government

The AUKUS Forum provides Australian industry, academia, and government with a dedicated think tank and skills forum designed to provide jobs and boost the economy to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities now opening up as a result of the formation of the AUKUS alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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