Healey reaffirms commitment to tri-nation Aukus nuclear submarine partnership
The Defence Secretary has reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to the Aukus partnership with the United States and Australia.
John Healey met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on a tour of a key military steel supplier in Sheffield, where they discussed the benefits of the trilateral defence and security partnership.
"The UK and Australia are the closest of friends and our work through AUKUS is a testament to this," said Mr Healey.
"Working with allies and partners is fundamental to our security and so it is a pleasure to host my Australian counterpart within my first fortnight as Defence Secretary.
"Sheffield Forgemasters is a shining light of UK industry that helps boost global security and employs skilled staff from the local community.
"This is just one example of how our hugely important partnership with our Australian and American partners can help drive jobs and growth across Britain."
The UK is hopeful the partnership will produce jobs and growth for Britain.
The AUKUS submarine programme is expected to generate around 7,000 additional jobs in the UK.
At its peak, there will be over 21,000 people working on SSN-AUKUS programmes.
During the visit, the two ministers discussed UK-Australian cooperation to support Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific and the joint commitment to ensure AUKUS delivers its potential.
This meeting came just a week after the first three Royal Australian Navy officers graduated from the Royal Navy's Nuclear Reactor Course at HMS Sultan in Gosport.
Australian Deputy PM Mr Marles said: "Australia and the United Kingdom’s relationship is enduring and forged in deep history.
"Be it under the defence and security cooperation agreement, or the work we continue to achieve under AUKUS, we are modernising our partnership.
"And importantly, we continue to work together on our support for Ukraine and to support a global rules-based order."
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