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.