Roundtable Discussion
Australia-US defence cooperation: From interoperability to interchangeability with Colonel Paul Gillikin, Portfolio Manager at Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps
Date: Wednesday, 7 October, 2026
Location: Parmelia Hilton Perth, Perth, WA
Event summary
On 7 October, 2026, the Perth USAsia Centre was pleased to host a roundtable discussion with Colonel Paul Gillikin, Portfolio Manager at Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps, on the future of Australia-US defence cooperation.
As the Indo-Pacific security environment becomes increasingly contested, Australia and the United States are pursuing deeper defence collaboration across operations, logistics, industry, and capability development. Recent initiatives, including progress towards AUKUS Submarine Rotational Force-West, expanded US force posture activities in Australia, and efforts to integrate logistics and sustainment networks, reflect a growing focus on moving beyond interoperability towards greater interchangeability.
Held in parallel with the Land Forces 2026 International Land Defence Expo, this roundtable brought together defence leaders, policy and strategy specialists, and industry representatives to examine how the alliance is evolving to meet emerging strategic challenges.
The discussion explored the practical implications of greater force integration, defence industrial cooperation, and combined capability development across the Indo-Pacific, and what this means for the future of Australia-US cooperation. Participants considered emerging opportunities for Australia’s defence industry within the US defence ecosystem, including growing avenues for small and medium-sized enterprises to contribute to alliance capability development. The discussion also examined how deeper industrial cooperation is becoming an increasingly important component of alliance integration and long-term capability development, particularly in an ever more complex strategic environment.
Key insights included:
- Trusted foundations: Decades of cooperation have created strong interoperability between Australia and the United States, with growing emphasis on interchangeability and sustaining capabilities at scale. One key thread was that the value of the alliance lies not only in what the two countries can do together, but in how those capabilities are sustained over time.
- Resilient supply chains: Secure and efficient supply chains are increasingly central to allied readiness, with Australia’s strategic location strengthening its potential role in regional sustainment and industrial support.
- SME participation: Opportunities exist for greater integration of small and medium-sized enterprises, though barriers to market access and procurement remain.
- Enabling interoperability: Effective interoperability depends on trusted data sharing, technology collaboration, and frameworks that address intellectual property, export controls, and data rights.
- Regional resilience: Diversified partnerships, logistics networks, and access arrangements across the Indo-Pacific can enhance operational flexibility and collective resilience.
- Australian industrial development: Closer collaboration with the US can help accelerate the growth of Australia’s defence industrial base through knowledge-sharing industrial partnerships, and capability development .
- Workforce and innovation: A skilled workforce, scalable industrial capacity, and continued innovation are essential to meeting future defence capability requirements.
Guest Speakers
Colonel Paul Gillikin, Portfolio Manager at Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps
Colonel Paul L. Gillikin, a native of Beaufort, North Carolina, received his commission through Naval ROTC in 1999 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. In October 2023, Col Gillikin became Program Manager, Combat Support Systems at Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps, in Quantico, Virginia. There, his portfolio focuses on contested logistics capabilities, including advanced manufacturing, expeditionary medical systems, fuel, and munitions.
Most recently, Colonel Gillikin served as Program Manager for Fire Support Systems, where he oversaw two Force Design programs focused on improving kill chain operations and multiple artillery support systems. His other previous acquisition billets included Infantry Weapons Product Team Leader where he led small arms modernization efforts and as the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air-Ground Programs overseeing Navy and Marine Corps ground and aviation Major Defense Acquisition Programs.
His operating force assignments consist of various Infantry and Special Operations billets in 3D Battalion, 7TH Marine Regiment; Executive Officer with 2D Marine Raider Battalion (MRB); and Company Commander, Marine Special Operations Company M, 3D MRB. Operational deployments include US Southern, Indo-Pacific, and Central Commands for combat operations and theater security cooperation missions. Colonel Gillikin’s other assignments include Plans, Policies and Operations; Current Operations Officer, MARSOC G-3; and Training & Exercise Officer, MARSOC G-3.
Colonel Gillikin is a graduate of several USMC and DOD schools: Infantry Officers Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, Mountain Warfare Training Center, Jungle Warfare Training Center, MARSOC Assessment & Selection Course, MARSOF Team Leader’s Course, SERE, and Command and Staff College. In 2005, he received his Master of Science Degree in Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School. In 2019, he received a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.
Col Gillikin is a member of the Intelligence and National Security Association and an ambassador for the Marine Raider Foundation.
Venue
Karri Room
Parmelia Hilton Perth
14 Mill St, Perth WA 6000
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