The Australian British Defence Catalyst (ABDC) will bring the top tier of defence, industry, policy and research for a unique three days of special briefing and thought leadership, running just ahead of the Farnborough Airshow.

With work on strategic reviews and investment plans in both Australia and the UK, the Catalyst will focus on real traction for industry engagement on AUKUS and beyond, and resilience across defence and national security in these testing geopolitical times.

The Aims and Objectives of ABDC 2026 are:

• Unpack strategic context as maritime disruption, great-power competition push security and resilience to the top of agendas.
• Understand the changing character of conflict.
• Support AUKUS Pillar I through progress on workforce, submarine industrial capacity, infrastructure, and community buy-in.
• Interpret defence investment through Australia’s National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program and the UK Defence Investment Plan.
• Strengthen UK–Australia defence industry collaboration through sovereign capability, allied supply-chain integration, and SME participation.
• Advance cooperation in AUKUS Pillar II technologies including autonomy, cyber, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, space and undersea systems.
• Build understanding of national resilience across defence, space, energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

Please see the flyer here with the latest programme.

The Catalyst is now sold out. If you wish to be added to the waitlist, please contact Jennifer Cramond at jcramond@britishchamber.com