AUSCANNZUKUS is an abbreviation for the naval Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) interoperability organization involving the Anglosphere nations of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is also used as security caveat in the UKUSA Community, where it is also known as "Five Eyes".[1][2][3]

Objectives, strategies and guiding principlesEdit

The organization's vision and mission,[4] objectives, strategies and guiding principles,[5] and Structure[6] are presented on the AUSCANNZUKUS Information Portal.

  1. To achieve internal sharing and understanding of Maritime C4 knowledge.
  2. To produce products and processes to achieve Maritime C4 interoperability.
  3. To increase external sharing and understanding of AUSCANNZUKUS.[5]
  1. Establish C4 policy and standards.
  2. Identify C4 interoperability requirements and risks.
  3. Identify, develop and utilize new technologies.
  4. Exchange information on national C4 capabilities, plans, and projects.
  5. To improve national awareness of AUSCANNZUKUS.
  6. Leverage exercises, experiments and demonstrations to deliver capability.
  7. Inform and influence multi national defence fora.[5]
Guiding principles
  1. The focus of all activities is to be on the requirements of the naval warfighter.
  2. All knowledge-sharing initiatives are to aim at providing innovative options, which are affordable to all AUSCANNZUKUS navies.
  3. All relevant information is to be shared with appropriate joint and combined organizations.[5]
AUSCANZUKUS structure.


The current AUSCANNZUKUS organization consists of the Supervisory Board, C4 Committee, and various other subordinate groups.[6]


Early in World War II communications interoperability between Allied forces was poor. During March 1941 the first high-level proposals to formally structure combined operations between the United States and the United Kingdom were considered; these discussions were the genesis of the current Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB).[7]

The origins of the AUSCANNZUKUS organization arose from dialogue between Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN, and Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, RN, in 1960. Their intention was to align naval communications policies and prevent, or at least limit, any barriers to interoperability, with the imminent introduction of sophisticated new communications equipment. AUSCANNZUKUS matured to the current five-nation organization in 1980 when New Zealand became a full member.[7]

The organization's remit has expanded over the years, and its mission now includes fostering knowledge sharing and C4 interoperability between the navies of the five nations in order to increase operational effectiveness.[4]

Related organizationsEdit

AUSCANNZUKUS liaises closely with Washington based management groups of the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB), Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC),[8] American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Armies' Interoperability Program (ABCANZ Armies), Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC (Air Force))[9][10] and The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP).[11][12]

See alsoEdit


  1. ^ McGregor, Richard. "Global Insight: US spying risks clouding 'five eyes' vision". Financial Times. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  2. ^ Lee, Michael. "Snowden leak reaffirms Australia's four spy installations". ZDNet. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  3. ^ Gurney, Matt. "Canada Navy Spy Case". National Post. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  4. ^ a b "AUSCANNZUKUS Information Portal". 2008-10-05. Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  5. ^ a b c d "AUSCANNZUKUS Overview". 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2011-11-04.[dead link]
  6. ^ a b "AUSCANNZUKUS Structure". 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2011-11-04.[dead link]
  7. ^ a b "AUSCANNZUKUS History". 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2011-11-04.[dead link]
  8. ^ "Multinational Interoperability Council". Archived from the original on 2014-11-12.
  9. ^ "Air and Space Interoperability Council". Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  10. ^ "Air and Space Interoperability Council". Archived from the original on 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  11. ^ "Welcome To The Technical Cooperation Program". Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  12. ^ "Auscannzukus Links". 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2011-11-04.[dead link]

External linksEdit