UK to sign 50-year defence treaty with Australia
The government has announced a 50-year AUKUS defence treaty between the UK and Australia, which will enhance the security and industry of both nations.
The treaty will underpin both countries’ submarine programmes to ensure the security of the UK and its allies, and it will deliver tens of thousands of jobs in the UK and Australia.
Over the next 25 years, the deal is expected to be worth up to £20 billion to the UK in exports and will create 7,000 new jobs in UK shipyards and across the supply chain for the manufacture of submarines and associated hardware.
The government said there will be over 21,000 people working on the nuclear-powered AUKUS submarine programme in the UK at its peak.
To mark the announcement of this new treaty, the UK Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary will travel to Australia to join the Carrier Strike Group and more than 3,000 British military personnel take part in the largest military exercise Australia has ever hosted.
“AUKUS is one of Britain’s most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home,” said Defence Secretary John Healey.
“This historic treaty confirms our AUKUS commitment for the next half century. Through the Treaty, we are supporting high-skilled, well-paid jobs for tens of thousands of people in both the UK and Australia, delivering on our Plan for Change today and for the generations to come. There are people not yet born who will benefit from the jobs secured through this defence deal.”
“Our deep defence relationship with Australia – from our work together to support Ukraine, share vital intelligence, and develop innovative technology – makes us secure at home and strong abroad,” Healey said.
