Australian forces say G'day to Brits under new agreement to strengthen military co-operation
British and Australian forces have been given the freedom to operate in each other's territories more easily under a new defence agreement signed by the two Commonwealth nations.
Similar methods are already being used through Operation Interflex, the programme for training Ukrainian soldiers in the UK.
The defence deal will also help facilitate UK submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the Aukus partnership, which is a joint venture to create the next generation of submarines.
The new Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement was signed by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Canberra.
Mr Shapps said: "The UK and Australia fought side by side 80 years ago against tyranny on the beaches of Normandy.
"Today our two great nations continue to stand together to secure peace and prosperity the world over.
"We're facing the challenges of a more dangerous world together, and through partnerships like this agreement, Aukus, and our continued support to Ukraine, we're defending our freedoms and shared values."
"The agreements we reached today will secure this outcome into the future," said Mr Marles, who also serves as Australia's Deputy Prime Minister.
"Australia's relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring.
"From the UK's leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we continue to work closely together to support a global rules-based order."
He added: "As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernise our most important partnerships."
Mr Marles noted that Britain has a much bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific region than it has had in a long time, and would send a carrier strike group to the region next year.
He also said Britain would contribute to a submarine rotational force in Australia, and the treaty would strengthen the ability of the two countries to work together.
Britain will also contribute to a Combined Intelligence Centre in Australia, within Australia's Defence Intelligence Organisation.
The agreement formalises the two nations consulting each other on issues which affect sovereignty and regional security.
Australia was among a coalition of nations which supported UK and US missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks around the Red Sea.
It was also announced that British firm BAE Systems will partner with Australian company ASC to build Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, in a major moment for the Aukus programme.
The submarine-building deal follows months of negotiations and is a huge success for British industry.
BAE Systems has been at the heart of the UK’s submarine enterprise for generations and will bring its experience to deliver this important submarine for Australia.
Aukus, which was first announced in September 2021, is a trilateral security and defence partnership between Australia, the UK and the US that will see the three nations work together on a range of capabilities, including a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia.
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