SYDNEY, July 25 (Reuters) – Discussions commenced in Sydney on Friday between senior defence and foreign affairs representatives from Australia and Britain, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly within the framework of the AUKUS nuclear submarine initiative.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey were welcomed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The agenda includes strengthening trade links and advancing the AUKUS agreement, which involves the development of a new series of nuclear-powered submarines for both nations.
The United States is currently evaluating the trilateral pact established in 2021, urging Australia to elevate its defence expenditures to address China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific area.
A forthcoming bilateral agreement between Britain and Australia will support each nation’s submarine initiatives. According to the British Ministry of Defence, this deal could generate up to £20 billion ($27 billion) in export revenue for Britain over the next 25 years.
British Defence Minister John Healey described AUKUS as one of the UK’s most significant defence alliances, emphasizing its role in reinforcing global security while stimulating domestic economic growth. He further noted that the treaty solidifies the partnership for the next 50 years.
After the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN), officials plan to visit Darwin, a strategic northern city, where the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has docked for the Talisman Sabre military drills.
The Talisman Sabre exercises, running from July 13 to August 4, involve approximately 40,000 personnel from 19 countries. The Australian military has stated that these drills serve as a preparation for joint combat operations, contributing to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Britain’s involvement in the exercises, co-hosted by Australia and the United States, has notably increased, with around 3,000 troops participating.
— news from Reuters
— News Original —
Britain, Australia to deepen AUKUS commitment, economic ties
SYDNEY, July 25 (Reuters) – Australia and Britain ‘s defence and foreign ministers arrived for talks in Sydney on Friday on boosting cooperation, including deepening the two countries commitment to the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership.
Britain ‘s Foreign Minister David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey were met by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney, where talks are expected to focus on boosting trade ties and progressing the AUKUS partnership for Britain and Australia to build a new class of nuclear-powered submarine.
Sign up here.
The United States is reviewing the trilateral agreement struck in 2021, and has pressed Australia to increase defence spending to counter China ‘s military build-up in the Indo Pacific region.
A new British-Australian treaty will underpin each country ‘s submarine programmes and is expected to be worth up to 20 billion pounds ($27 billion) to Britain in exports over the next 25 years, Britain ‘s Ministry of Defence said.
“AUKUS is one of Britain ‘s most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home,” British defence minister John Healey said in a statement.
The treaty “confirms our AUKUS commitment for the next half century,” he added.
Following the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN), ministers 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.
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.
Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney, and Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Lincoln Feast.