SYDNEY, July 24 (Reuters) – Australia and Britain will engage in discussions regarding enhanced cooperation in defense and foreign affairs in Sydney on Friday, coinciding with Australia’s largest military exercises and the first visit by a British carrier strike group in three decades, according to an official statement.
Following the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN), British Foreign Minister David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey are set to visit Darwin, where the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has arrived for the Talisman Sabre military drills.
Australia considers Britain a crucial ally, and both nations are collaborating closely amidst “shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world”, stated Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles.
Approximately 40,000 troops from 19 countries are participating in the Talisman Sabre exercises, which run from July 13 to August 4. These drills, according to Australia’s military, serve as a rehearsal for joint combat operations that contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Britain’s involvement in the exercise, co-hosted by Australia and the United States, has significantly increased, with 3,000 troops participating.
The discussions are anticipated to focus on advancing the AUKUS partnership, aimed at developing a new class of nuclear-powered submarines for Britain and Australia, even as the United States reviews the trilateral defense technology agreement and urges Australia to boost defense spending.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong described Britain and Australia as “longstanding friends” and emphasized the desire to modernize the relationship.
“From enhancing defense capabilities and strengthening economic resilience, to advocating for human rights, promoting gender equality, and upholding the international rules and institutions that safeguard us all,” she stated in a press release.
Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry
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Australia, Britain to hold talks on boosting defence and economic ties
SYDNEY, July 24 (Reuters) – Australia and Britain ‘s defence and foreign ministers will hold talks in Sydney on Friday on boosting cooperation, coinciding with Australia ‘s largest war games and the first visit by a British carrier strike group in three decades, Australia said.
Following the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN), Britain ‘s Foreign Minister David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey are scheduled to travel to the northern garrison city of Darwin, where the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has arrived for the Talisman Sabre war games.
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Australia sees Britain as a critical partner and the two countries are working closely amid “shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world”, Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement.
As many as 40,000 troops from 19 countries are taking part in the Talisman Sabre exercises held from July 13 to August 4, which Australia ‘s military has said are a rehearsal of joint war fighting that contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Britain has significantly increased its participation in the exercise co-hosted by Australia and the United States, with 3,000 troops taking part.
The talks are expected to focus on progressing the AUKUS partnership for Britain and Australia to build a new class of nuclear-powered submarine, even as the United States reviews the trilateral defence technology agreement and presses Australia to increase defence spending.
Australia ‘s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Britain and Australia were “longstanding friends” and the two countries wanted to modernise the relationship.
“From building defence capability and boosting economic resilience, to standing up for human rights, advancing gender equality, and defending the international rules and institutions that protect us all,” she said in a statement.
Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry