Australia, India Launch PACTS to Boost Cyber, AI & Supply Chain Security

Australia and India on 9 July 2026 announced the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), replacing the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation. The new partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains while supporting national and regional security.

PACTS is built around five pillars: Supply Chain Resilience and Diversification, Critical Technology, Cybersecurity, Digital Resilience, and Defence Research Collaboration. The partnership will encourage collaboration between governments, businesses, universities and research institutions, while promoting investment, innovation and technology development.

Under the Supply Chain Resilience pillar, Australia and India will work on trusted vendor frameworks, secure undersea cable connectivity through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, semiconductor supply chain research, critical minerals supply chains, and stronger bilateral technology trade and commercial cooperation.

The Critical Technology pillar focuses on cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), space technologies, telecommunications, biotechnology and advanced materials. The two countries will support safe and secure AI standards, expand joint research and investment, and explore new government and commercial space initiatives.

In Cybersecurity, both countries will strengthen cooperation against cybercrime, improve cyber policy coordination, enhance collaboration in UN-mandated cyber processes, promote cybersecurity trade and investment, organise joint workshops, and establish a cyber technology skills incubator. Under Digital Resilience, they will support India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives, scale digital solutions across the Indo-Pacific, and develop joint digital resilience projects.

The Defence Research Collaboration pillar will expand cooperation between Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), strengthen defence innovation and start-up links, and focus on maritime science and technology. The partnership will be jointly chaired by the Australian Deputy Secretary, International and Security Group, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Indian Deputy National Security Advisor, with annual senior officials’ meetings to review progress and identify future projects.