The UK Government has announced that Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander will travel to Australia, New Zealand and Singapore on a week-long trade and defence mission aimed at strengthening security cooperation and expanding economic ties across the Indo-Pacific.
The visit is expected to focus on opportunities for closer defence-industrial collaboration, including in naval shipbuilding and advanced defence manufacturing, while also promoting Scottish exports and inward investment. According to the Scotland Office, trade and international security will be central themes throughout the trip, with Alexander due to meet government ministers and business leaders across all three countries.
The programme will also include attendance at two overseas performances of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, in Brisbane and Auckland, which the Government described as a showcase of one of Scotland’s major cultural exports.
The Government said the visit comes at a time of “heightened global instability” and will place emphasis on strengthening defence partnerships with close allies.
Australia is a key element of the AUKUS partnership, and the UK signed a treaty in 2025 committing to 50 years of security cooperation in the region. Officials said Alexander’s meetings will explore further collaboration, particularly in areas where Scotland’s industrial base is considered competitive.
The Scotland Office said discussions are expected to include naval shipbuilding and defence manufacturing, describing Scottish industry as having “world-leading expertise” in those sectors. The mission will also focus on trade expansion, with Alexander expected to promote Scottish businesses and encourage new investment into Scotland.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Alexander said the trip was designed to support exporters and reinforce Scotland’s position within UK-wide trade relationships. “This visit is about speaking up for Scottish businesses and Scottish exporters,” he said.
He added that Scotland benefits from UK-wide influence and trade reach, stating: “Scotland benefits from the strength, reach and connections that come from being part of the UK.”
Alexander also linked the trip to wider defence cooperation, saying: “At a time of significant global uncertainty, it has never been more important to stand shoulder to shoulder with our closest allies, and I look forward to discussing how we can deepen our defence cooperation and work together to keep people safe.” On trade, he said: “I will also be banging the drum for Scottish business… This visit is an opportunity to open doors for Scottish exporters, attract the investment that creates economic growth and well paid jobs back at home, and show that Scotland is open for business on the global stage.”
Good stuff.but the RN needs more escorts faster than in the pipeline atm. PM showboats & talks the talk at Munich, but we remain at the prestent nadir of escort fleet numbers for several years, just replacing thoroughly worn out T23s with new T26 & T31s. Could even drop lower if any more of the remaining T23s break before replaced, or if any replacements get sold to new customers.
Giving more of our slots away ???
Asualtralia has already committed to the Japanese Mogami as their second frigate class, Singapore is building their Victory class MRCV’s, which only really leaves the New Zealand replacement for their Anzacs as potential export orders surely? And even that is likely to be going up against the Mogami.
Hopefully the visit will re promote the AH140/T31 to NZ. Maybe more to Indonesia, why not try for the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam or a license build for India? Would India be interested in the T26 or even NZ? And Chile and Brazil?
Add Bangladesh for the AH140? Piggyback on the ex HMS Enterprise sale.