The Trump administration recently completed its AUKUS review, including a directive from President Trump to proceed “full steam ahead” on AUKUS Pillar I. But even after securing the Trump stamp of approval, there has been comparatively little information on how the review handled Pillar II and experts have raised concerns about the growing scope of advanced capabilities it now includes.

Is AUKUS Pillar II fit for purpose? Which advanced capabilities can deliver the best return on investment in the near term? Is AUKUS Pillar II a “solution in need of a problem”?

USSC Non-Resident Fellow Sophie Mayo and USSC Research Fellow Tom Corben joined USSC Director of Impact and Engagement Mari Koeck on the podcast to discuss these questions.

Both experts have recently published on AUKUS Pillar II:

• Impact and effort: A menu of AI and autonomy options for AUKUS Pillar II – Sophie Mayo
• AUKUS Pillar II under pressure – Tom Corben

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat