The UK will sign a historic 50-year bilateral Aukus treaty with Australia as Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey visit the country on Friday. The landmark agreement will cement defence cooperation between the two nations for the next half century.
The ministers will meet their Australian counterparts at the annual Australia-UK ministerial meeting, known as Aukmin, in Sydney. They will then travel to Melbourne to engage with businesses involved in the Aukus submarine programme before visiting Darwin as the Carrier Strike Group docks in the Northern Territory.
Treaty secures submarine partnership
The Aukus partnership between the UK, US and Australia centres on building nuclear-powered attack submarines, including Australia acquiring its first such fleet. The three countries originally agreed the partnership in 2021, but the Trump administration has put it under review, raising concerns about potential US withdrawal.
The bilateral treaty being signed sets out how the UK and Australia will work together to deliver their submarine programmes over the coming decades. More than 21,000 people in the UK are expected to be working on the programme at its peak.
Ministers hail defence cooperation
Defence Secretary John Healey described Aukus as "one of Britain's most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home". He said the historic treaty confirms the Aukus commitment for the next half century, with people "not yet born" benefiting from jobs secured through the deal.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK-Australia relationship is "like no other". He added that in an "increasingly volatile and dangerous world", the anchoring friendship has real impact in protecting global peace and prosperity.
Military exercise demonstrates alliance
The UK's Carrier Strike Group has been participating in the Talisman Sabre military exercise hosted in Australia. The international formation of Royal Navy warships, submarines and aircraft joined the Australia and US-led exercise involving more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 countries.
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge welcomed the progress but emphasised the need for practical delivery. The Conservative MP said Aukus was a landmark achievement of the previous Conservative government and stressed that Labour must maintain momentum, including on industrial collaboration, at a time of heightened threats.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
