Shapps goes up Down Under in F/A-18F Super Hornet following defence co-operation agreement

Grant Shapps has enjoyed the opportunity to fly out of Canberra in an F/A-18F Super Hornet thanks to the Royal Australian Air Force.

The Defence Secretary was in Australia to sign the new Defence and Security Co-operation Agreement alongside his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, which gives British and Australian forces the freedom to operate in each other's territories more easily.

Defence Australia said that the flight was part of a "demonstration of an important element of Australia's defence capability to one of our closest defence partners ahead of AUKMIN24".

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AUKMIN24 – Australia - United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations – offers the opportunity to identify new ways the two nations can grow and strengthen collaboration in key strategic areas of their partnership.

Australia and the UK have discussed ways to deepen co-operation across defence, climate action, clean energy, cyber, and economic security.

The latest defence deal will also help facilitate UK submarine crews visiting Australia as part of the Aukus partnership, a joint venture to create the next generation of submarines.

Mr Shapps said the enhanced co-operation between the countries reflected a shift from a post-war world to a pre-war world.

On Friday, Mr Shapps was "honoured" to lay a wreath with Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles at the Australian war memorial.

He posted on X: "The UK and Australia have always stood side by side and we always will.

"I was honoured to lay a wreath with Richard Marles at the Australian war memorial in memory of all those who gave their lives for our freedom".