AWS re:Invent 2025: Amazon EKS Introduces New Capabilities for Workload Orchestration and Cloud Resource Management
What is AWS re:Invent?
AWS re:Invent is Amazon Web Services’ largest annual cloud conference, where AWS announces new services, enhancements, and strategic direction for the coming year. The event features keynotes, technical deep dives, hands-on sessions, and hundreds of product launches, making it one of the most influential cloud events in the industry.
AWS has introduced Amazon EKS Capabilities, an extensible set of Kubernetes-native platform features designed to simplify workload orchestration, Kubernetes resource composition, and the management of AWS cloud resources. These capabilities are fully managed by AWS and integrate open source tools that many organizations already rely on, including Argo CD, AWS Controllers for Kubernetes (ACK), and Kube Resource Orchestrator (KRO).
With EKS Capabilities, platform teams can build and scale Kubernetes applications without having to manage complex solution infrastructure. Instead of running these tools directly inside clusters, AWS operates them in EKS service-owned accounts, which removes the operational burden of scaling, patching, and updating foundational components.
What AWS Announced
Amazon EKS Capabilities provide a set of managed, Kubernetes-native features that support continuous deployment, resource orchestration, and cloud resource management. Each capability is available as an optional, independently enabled feature within EKS clusters.
At launch, EKS Capabilities include:
Argo CD
A declarative GitOps tool that provides continuous deployment for Kubernetes. It is widely used in the Kubernetes community, with more than 45 percent adoption among end users surveyed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation in 2024.
AWS Controllers for Kubernetes (ACK)
ACK introduces custom Kubernetes resources that allow teams to manage AWS cloud resources directly from Kubernetes clusters. Many enterprise platform teams use ACK for unified workflows across cloud and cluster environments.
Kube Resource Orchestrator (KRO)
KRO enables platform teams to define reusable resource bundles and abstractions that simplify how custom resources are created and consumed in Kubernetes, while remaining aligned with native Kubernetes patterns.
Why EKS Capabilities Matter
1. Less Operational Overhead for Platform Teams
These capabilities run in AWS managed accounts rather than inside customer clusters. This removes the need to install, scale, patch, or update the supporting infrastructure. AWS handles the underlying components, providing the reliability, security, and lifecycle management that teams otherwise maintain on their own.
2. Streamlined Kubernetes Application Delivery
Developers can continue using familiar Kubernetes workflows. They apply declarative configurations with kubectl or through automated pipelines, and EKS Capabilities extend those workflows with native integrations for deployment and resource composition.
3. Integrated Support for Building and Scaling Platforms
Each capability is designed to work independently or in combination. Together, they create a cohesive foundation for:
• GitOps-driven continuous deployment
• Cloud resource provisioning from Kubernetes
• Composition and orchestration of complex resource bundles
This helps teams build platform capabilities for scale without constructing them from scratch.
How EKS Capabilities Work
Platform engineers and cluster administrators choose which capabilities to enable for each cluster. EKS manages the infrastructure and provides cluster-scoped resources that developers interact with through standard Kubernetes APIs.
Developers continue to work with the cluster as usual. They create and modify Kubernetes resources declaratively, and the enabled capabilities provide higher-level automation and orchestration behind the scenes.
Additional Considerations
Permissions
EKS Capabilities require configuration through AWS Identity and Access Management. Some capabilities include optional single sign-on integration, such as Argo CD integration with IAM Identity Center.
Upgrades
EKS automatically updates enabled capabilities and their dependencies. AWS analyzes for breaking changes, patches components, and reports issues through EKS cluster insights.
Resource Adoption
ACK provides features that allow existing AWS resources to be adopted into ACK management. It also supports read-only resources to help teams migrate gradually from tools such as Terraform or AWS CloudFormation.
Availability and Pricing
Amazon EKS Capabilities are available in commercial AWS Regions. There are no upfront commitments or minimum fees, and customers pay only for the capabilities and resources they use.
A More Integrated Kubernetes Experience
With the introduction of Amazon EKS Capabilities, AWS is expanding the managed Kubernetes experience beyond control plane operations. By integrating popular open source tools and cloud resource controllers into a fully managed environment, AWS is reducing operational complexity and giving platform teams a more cohesive foundation for building and scaling applications on Kubernetes.
EKS Capabilities provide a unified model for continuous deployment, resource orchestration, and cloud integration. This makes it easier for organizations to focus on delivering applications rather than managing supporting infrastructure.
Official Sources
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