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:

• Strategic context as maritime disruption, great-power competition, and supply-chain pressure push security and resilience higher on agendas
• 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.

The Australian British Defence Catalyst is invitation only. To express your interest, please contact Jennifer Cramond at jcramond@britishchamber.com