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AUKUS Pillar 2 updates

Every public Pillar 2 milestone in one place, dated, newest first and linked to the official source.

Last updated 22 Oct 2026

A running log of public Pillar II milestones, newest first. Each entry links to the government statement or release it comes from. We add entries when an official source is published and don't speculate about classified work.

  1. — Maritime Big Play in San Diego. The three navies are staging what the Royal Navy calls their largest demonstration yet of interoperable maritime autonomous systems, under the Pillar 2 Maritime Big Play initiative. More than 40 government and industry technologies are on show across four areas: anti-submarine warfare, lethality, contested resupply, and subsea and seabed warfare. The UK leads the anti-submarine strand [1]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  2. — Australian payloads for uncrewed vessels. The Government announced payload work for the Ghost Shark, Speartooth and Bluebottle uncrewed systems, with some of it to be tested at Maritime Big Play [2]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  3. — Defence explains the signature project. Defence says the project aims to get advanced capabilities to the Australian Defence Force and partner militaries faster [3]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  4. — First Pillar II signature project. Meeting in Singapore, the three defence ministers announced payloads and enabling systems for the partners' uncrewed undersea vehicles (UUVs), with delivery starting in 2027. The work runs in phases: first national payloads that each partner can swap in and integrate, then jointly developed trilateral payloads [4][5]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  5. — Defence ministers meet at the Pentagon in Washington. The joint statement stresses accelerating Pillar II delivery, particularly for near-term warfighting objectives. It doesn't name new projects [6]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  6. — A 3D-printed part for a US submarine at HMAS Stirling. The tender USS Frank Cable printed and machined a stainless-steel valve handwheel that was installed on USS Vermont. The US Navy described it as a step for AUKUS industrial cooperation. It sits on the submarine side rather than inside Pillar II [7]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  7. — Principles for bringing in other partners. The ministers announced principles for working with additional partners on Pillar II projects, and an initial area of cooperation with Japan: making maritime autonomous systems work together [8]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  8. — US export-control exemption takes effect. The US State Department's ITAR exemption for AUKUS trade allows many defence exports and transfers between authorised users in the three countries without individual licences. Items on an excluded-technology list are not covered [9]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  9. — Industry, investors and a first innovation challenge. The ministers noted that the Defence Investors Network first met on 28 Feb 2024, that the first Pillar II Innovation Challenge, on electronic warfare, launched on 26 Mar 2024, and that the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum would hold its first meeting on 9 Apr 2024. They also said they would consult prospective partners during 2024 and were considering cooperation with Japan [10]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  10. — New Pillar II efforts endorsed. The ministers backed a trilateral maritime autonomy experimentation and exercise series from 2024, and an innovation challenge series starting in early 2024 with electronic warfare [11][12]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  11. — Eight working areas named. The leaders listed undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, AI and autonomy, advanced cyber, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, electronic warfare, innovation, and information sharing [13]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
  12. — AUKUS announced. The first statement committed the partners to deeper cooperation on cyber, AI, quantum and additional undersea capabilities [14]. Checked 22 Oct 2026.

New to Pillar II? Start with AUKUS Pillar II explained.

Frequently asked questions

What is the latest AUKUS Pillar 2 update?

As of 22 Oct 2026 the latest official update is the Maritime Big Play demonstration in San Diego, which the Royal Navy reported on 19 Oct 2026. It showcases more than 40 autonomous and crewed technologies from the three nations.

What is the first Pillar II signature project?

Announced on 30 May 2026, it develops payloads and enabling systems for the partners' uncrewed undersea vehicles, with delivery starting in 2027.

Sources

  1. AUKUS nations showcase cutting-edge maritime technology, 19 Oct 2026 (Royal Navy)
  2. Australia advances undersea warfare capabilities, 19 Oct 2026 (Australian Defence Ministers)
  3. AUKUS partners launch Pillar II project, 2 Jun 2026 (Defence)
  4. AUKUS Defence Ministerial Joint Statement, 30 May 2026 (GOV.UK)
  5. AUKUS Pillar II fact sheet: UUV payloads and enabling systems, 30 May 2026 (GOV.UK)
  6. Joint Statement, AUKUS Defence Ministers' Meeting, 11 Dec 2025 (Australian Defence Ministers)
  7. US Navy, Australia and UK advance AUKUS industrial cooperation with shipboard 3D-printed part, Nov 2025 (DVIDS, Commander Submarine Force Atlantic)
  8. AUKUS Defence Ministers' Meeting Communique, 26 Sep 2024 (Australian Defence Ministers)
  9. Key Elements of the ITAR Exemption for AUKUS (US Department of State)
  10. AUKUS defence ministers joint statement, April 2024 (GOV.UK)
  11. AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting Joint Statement, 1 Dec 2023 (US Department of War)
  12. Press Conference, San Francisco, 2 Dec 2023 (Australian Defence Ministers)
  13. Fact Sheet: Implementation of AUKUS, 5 Apr 2022 (White House archive)
  14. Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS, 15 Sep 2021 (White House archive)

Related: AUKUS Pillar II explained · AUKUS additive manufacturing · Technology hub