A landmark meeting between AUKUS Defence Ministers is being held in London today, marking the first time the trilateral talks have taken place outside the United States. UK Defence Secretary John Healey is hosting US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles to discuss the strategic importance of the AUKUS partnership.
The meeting comes as the UK and Australia prepare to enter negotiations on a new bilateral AUKUS treaty, which aims to shape the future defence relationship between the two countries. The treaty will focus on accelerating the design, construction, and delivery of the next-generation SSN-AUKUS submarines. Both nations have committed to fast-tracking these talks, recognising the need for a clear framework to underpin their long-term cooperation.
This agreement could provide a significant boost to the UK economy, with billions of pounds in exports of submarine components expected to flow from British manufacturers to Australia. The treaty will set the terms for continued collaboration on the SSN-AUKUS programme, a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine initiative designed to enhance both nations’ naval capabilities.
The AUKUS partnership, which celebrated its third anniversary this month, has already led to substantial economic benefits. A recent breakthrough in defence trade between the UK, US, and Australia has reduced bureaucratic barriers, enabling up to £500 million in UK defence exports each year. This trade is expected to bolster economic growth across the three nations.
At the heart of the discussions is the long-term employment and economic benefits AUKUS will bring to the UK. It is estimated that more than 21,000 people will eventually work on the AUKUS submarine programme across various UK sites. Additionally, the initiative is expected to create 7,000 new skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, further driving growth.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said, “I’m proud to be the first UK Defence Secretary to host a meeting of AUKUS Defence Ministers in Britain. As AUKUS partners, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an increasingly unstable world. This partnership will boost jobs, growth, and prosperity across our three nations while strengthening our collective security.”
Healey also expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming treaty negotiations, emphasising the importance of creating a more stable Indo-Pacific region through the partnership.
The negotiations follow the signing of a UK-Australia Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement earlier this year. This agreement has already facilitated cooperation between the Armed Forces of both nations, including UK submarine crews operating in Australia under the AUKUS partnership.
The UK has invested nearly £10 billion in nuclear projects since the AUKUS partnership began, with £4 billion allocated to SSN-AUKUS submarine design and prototyping. Other major investments include £3 billion for advanced manufacturing in Barrow-in-Furness and Derby, and £2.4 billion from Australia to support Rolls-Royce infrastructure and share submarine design costs.
In addition to the submarine programme, the three AUKUS nations are collaborating under AUKUS Pillar 2 to develop advanced defence technologies. Four UK companies have been awarded £2 million in funding to develop electromagnetic targeting and protection solutions, enhancing the technological capabilities of the UK’s defence sector.