AUKUS Forum

President Trump has announced the Office of Shipbuilding. Steep levies on Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports have been proposed, up to as much as $1.5 million, as part of a plan to bring more ship manufacturing back to the U.S., a policy which has bipartisan support. By charging Chinese-owned or -built vessels each time they dock at a U.S. port, the administration hopes to discourage ocean carriers from buying more ships from China. The U.S. government would spend some of the tens of billions of dollars raised through the fees on subsidizing a commercial shipbuilding industry that has fallen into disrepair. U.S. shipbuilding is a national security imperative. In today’s strategic environment, control of the seas is more than commerce — it’s defense. Revitalizing American shipbuilding strengthens our deterrence, bolsters maritime logistics, and ensures the U.S. Navy and its allies have the industrial base to meet future challenges. Investing in domestic yards means more than jobs — it means readiness. It’s about having the capability to build, repair, and sustain the fleets that safeguard freedom of navigation and national interests.

Additive Manufacturing is on the move across the AUKUS alliance! We kicked things off with a brilliant first Additive Manufacturing Summit in Sydney — and the momentum is building. This week we’re in regional Australia and at the Avalon Airshow. Next week it’s wheels up and back in the United States, expanding 3D printing capabilities across the AUKUS Industry Zones. And the journey continues with upcoming events in the UK and USA. The first AUKUS Steel & Forging Summit. (Pennsylvania) AUKUS Secure Information Sharing Workshop (Washington) British Nuclear Dialogue - (London) Want in? We’re connecting innovators, manufacturers, and global partners to accelerate advanced manufacturing across AUKUS. See https://lnkd.in/gexu5xkN Reach out to our Global Partnerships Manager, Matthew Netherwood - matthew@aukusforum.com

AUKUS Forum 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 Thanks to Markforged - Major Sponsors of this AUKUS to Avalon Series. Avalon Australian International Airshow is almost here! Markforged will be at Booth 2D20 March 25-28 - see the FX20 in action and explore cutting-edge, industrial 3D printing for aerospace and defence! 🎉 Join us for the Exclusive Aerospace Leaders Drinks 🥂 Topic: Revolutionising Aerospace: The Role of Additive Manufacturing in Defence Innovation & AUKUS Partnerships Guest Speakers: ✔ Michael Sharpe, Chief Executive, AUKUS Forum ✔ Richard Elving, VP Asia Pacific, Markforged Reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/gNjwDYZh To share your latest technologies and capabilities, contact our Global Partnerships Manager, Matthew Netherwood - Matthew@aukusforum.com

#Additive manufacturing across the AUKUS alliance. Our first Additive Manufacturing Summit here in Sydney was terrific. Join us this coming week in regional Australia and at the Avalon Airshow. Next week we’re back crisscrossing the United States and bolstering 3D printing capabilities across the AUKUS Industry Zones. Join us for upcoming events in the US and the United Kingdom 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 Contact our Global Partnerships Manager, Matthew Netherwood - matthew@aukusforum.com

Opportunities Are Growing for SMEs in the New Industrial Era America is rebuilding its defense industrial base—and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) have a major role to play. President Trump recently declared: “We are going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry—including commercial and military shipbuilding... and fast.” And Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made it clear: “We will rebuild our military by matching threats to capabilities. This means reviving our defense industrial base and rapidly fielding emerging technologies.” This resurgence isn’t just about big players—it’s about the strength of the entire ecosystem. Your skills and solutions are vital to this mission of resilience and readiness. Michael Sharpe Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Center for American Industrial Strength, AUKUS Visa, Deloitte, Missile Industries Corporation - MissileCorp, Aon, North American Forgemasters

From walking the factory floors across the United Kingdom and Industry Zones across America – the AUKUS Forum is on the move. This week, AUKUS Forum CEO Michael Sharpe is leading delegations across regional Australia, engaging with manufacturers on the road to the Avalon Airshow and hosting an industry workshop at Albury/Wodonga. With guests flying in from across the United Kingdom and the United States, we’re showcasing the strength of regional industry and accelerating the adoption of #additive manufacturing across the AUKUS Nations. Michael’s insights on 3D printing technologies will be front and centre as we work to build a connected, sovereign industrial base. Following Avalon, the AUKUS Forum team will be crisscrossing the United States, driving new opportunities for trilateral industrial cooperation. We’ll be in Seattle, Washington and then at Sea-Air-Space in Maryland during early April—then launching into our exclusive U.S. industry delegation program. Key upcoming events include: May 5 – first AUKUS Steel & Forging Summit (Pennsylvania) May 9 – AUKUS Secure Information Workshop (Washington, DC) From May 12 – On the ground across Arkansas and Mississippi County, the largest steel-producing region in the U.S. With 10 AUKUS Industry Zones already live across the United States, there’s never been a better time for Australian and UK companies to grow their operations in the U.S. and tap into a powerful trilateral alliance. Want to get involved? Join us as we build capability, grow industry, and strengthen national security across AUKUS. Contact: Cathy@aukusforum.com Center for American Industrial Strength, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Deloitte, Aon, DekkoSecure, Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, United States Bomb Technician Association, Virginia Nuclear Industry, AUKUS Visa, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), FBI Cyber Division

A pleasure to join AUKUS Forum and MPS People Security Risk Management at the National Press Club of Australia this week to discuss the current status of US-Australia alliance, and Australia's pathway to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under #AUKUS Pillar 1. If you're interested in my take, you can listen to bmy recent Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) #news radio interview on the topic here https://lnkd.in/gh4k9yZN Or read my recent The Sydney Morning Herald piece here https://lnkd.in/gSnJRhD8 ANU National Security College UNSW Canberra Council on Geostrategy Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue Australian Naval Institute

President Donald Trump announced that Boeing will build the next-generation fighter jet, the F-47, for the U.S. Air Force. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined him in the Oval Office for the announcement. "I’m thrilled to announce that at my direction the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet… Nothing in the world comes even close to it, and it’ll be called the ‘F-47,’ the generals picked that title." President Trump said that Boeing was awarded the contract after a "rigorous and thorough competition between some of America’s top aerospace companies." The president also stated that an experiential version of the jet has apparently "secretly been flying" for nearly five years. Michael Sharpe, Center for American Industrial Strength, Aon, Deloitte, Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance

Be part of the momentum as the AUKUS Forum drives industry collaboration across defense, advanced manufacturing, #additive manufacturing, and cybersecurity. Meet AUKUS Forum CEO Michael Sharpe, our US Director, Scott Stewart and our growing team across the alliance. Connect with leading delegations across our international mission to strengthen capabilities and unlock innovation. Upcoming Delegations & Events: ✈ Avalon Airshow (Australia) 25–28 March 🔹 Seattle, Washington 2–4 April ⚓ Sea-Air-Space (Maryland) 6–9 April 🏭 Additive Manufacturing Focus Alabama & Gulf Coast – 10–17 April 🤝 Industry Engagements Texas – 22–25 April Tennessee & Kentucky – 28 April–2 May 🔥 Inaugural AUKUS Steel & Forging Summit Pennsylvania – 5 May 🛡 Cybersecurity & AUKUS Industry (Washington, D.C.)– 8–9 May 🏗 Advanced Manufacturing Hub Mississippi County, Arkansas – 12–14 May Get Involved: We welcome participants, sponsors, and industry leaders looking to collaborate. To join a delegation, arrange a meeting, or explore sponsorship opportunities, contact: Catherine Krimmer, Operations Director cathy@aukusforum.com

A great event Michael Sharpe. I learned a lot about both the potential of additive manufacturing and the great things already being achieved. #AUKUS