How Aussie universities are helping the Chinese military build state-of-the-art missiles amid fears they could one day be turned on our navy ships
A US think tank has alleged that several Australian universities collaborated with Chinese defence-linked laboratories on research with potential military applications, including technology relevant to anti-ship missiles. The claims have renewed concerns that academic partnerships could contribute to Chinese military capabilities that might eventually threaten Australian interests, although the article presents the findings as allegations from the report.
The China Aerospace Studies Institute reviewed hundreds of Western interactions with Chinese institutions between 2015 and 2025, identifying at least 13 Australian research centres and universities. It said the University of Sydney had the fourth-highest number of interactions with Chinese defence laboratories, while UWA, UTS and Swinburne were linked to work involving missile route planning, antennas, microwave technology and aerodynamics; other universities were listed as attending related events. Security analyst Michael Shoebridge criticised defence-relevant collaboration, citing a 2018 estimate that China had sent more than 2,500 military scientists and engineers to overseas universities.
- Report alleges Australian research aided Chinese defence-linked groups.
- Some work was linked to anti-ship missile technology.
- Critics warn of risks to Australian security interests.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates of tighter controls argue that universities have a duty to protect national security when research can be adapted for weapons, particularly in fields such as guidance, antennas and aerodynamics. They contend that collaboration with laboratories linked to China’s defence establishment may strengthen capabilities that could ultimately be used to challenge Australian forces, so precautionary screening and transparency are warranted even where the research is formally civilian.
The case against
Defenders of academic collaboration argue that allegations of potential dual use do not establish that Australian researchers knowingly contributed to missile programmes or acted improperly. They stress that international research partnerships can produce legitimate civilian advances and that broad restrictions based on institutional associations risk undermining academic freedom, scientific exchange and links with individual researchers; any safeguards should therefore be evidence-based and targeted rather than presumptively punitive.