According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, the UK government has appointed Sir Stephen Lovegrove as its AUKUS adviser to maximise the benefits of the AUKUS partnership.

The government says Sir Stephen, who has previously served as National Security Adviser and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, brings significant experience to the role as the UK seeks to deepen its collaboration with Australia and the United States under the AUKUS agreement.

The AUKUS partnership, established in 2021, is described in the release as a crucial global security arrangement. Sir Stephenā€™s appointment, ahead of the third anniversary of AUKUS, reflects the governmentā€™s commitment to enhancing the partnershipā€™s defence and economic benefits.

His responsibilities include assessing the UKā€™s progress in meeting AUKUS objectives, identifying any barriers to further success, and exploring additional opportunities to strengthen the partnership.

Defence Secretary John Healey noted the current global challenges, stating, ā€œAs tensions increase, and conflicts continue around the globe, our partnerships with our allies are critically important. AUKUS is a pioneering partnership that will not only bolster our defence and security but can drive jobs and economic growth in communities across the UK.ā€ He expressed confidence that Sir Stephenā€™s extensive experience in national security will be instrumental in guiding the UKā€™s role in AUKUS.

Sir Stephen underscored the importance of AUKUS, calling it ā€œthe most significant global security partnership the UK has joined in decades.ā€ He acknowledged the complexity of the work ahead and stated his commitment to ensuring that the UK fully capitalises on the opportunities presented by the partnership.

This appointment comes shortly after recent reforms to export controls, designed to facilitate closer cooperation between the AUKUS nations by enabling the sharing of next-generation technologies.

These changes could impact up to Ā£500 million in UK defence exports annually and are expected to significantly boost trade across all three AUKUS nations, further supporting the UKā€™s economic growth.

Sir Stephenā€™s work will contribute to the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review, helping to shape the UKā€™s future strategic goals within the AUKUS framework, they add.

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Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.
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Jim
Jim
2 months ago

2032 apparently, they are splashing more than $4 billion.

If they do that the USN and RN will likely send boats to base in Australia just to clear their own backlogs. šŸ˜€

Michael Hannah
Michael Hannah
2 months ago
Reply to  Jim

The Faslane Ship Lift is back in operation, which is a major step forward,

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 months ago
Reply to  Michael Hannah

essentially the ship lift is needed to keep the at sea deterrent running into its geriatric yearsā€¦there will be almost no capacity for SSNs. Until 15 and 10 docks in Devonport are sorted out.

Last edited 2 months ago by Jonathan
Michael Hannah
Michael Hannah
2 months ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Yes I know the Vanguard boats get priority but it is the start of easing an absolutely woeful situation , that has been allowed to develop. This situation did not develop overnight.

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 months ago
Reply to  Michael Hannah

indeed itā€™s been developed since the delivery of the A boats and the fact they still donā€™t have a dock at Devonport that they can useā€¦the only SSN dry dock was for the Trafalgarsā€¦they did not start revamping the nuclear boat docks in Devonport until 2021ā€¦which is a decade to lateā€¦they should have started this work in 2011/12ā€¦.with the A boats having their own dock from 2015.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 months ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Sounds a bit like ordering frigates or somethingā€¦..

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 months ago

Itā€™s funny thatā€¦common themesā€¦a decade late seems to the the golden thread of naval contractsā€¦.there must be a mathematical formula the MOD use on delaying contacts.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
2 months ago
Reply to  Jonathan

It is a wonderful formula – it causes long term costs to rocket and outputs to tank.

I believe same formula is enthusiastically used throughout the UK public sector šŸ™‚

Andrew
Andrew
2 months ago
Reply to  Jim

Would be a pleasant place for the crew to hang out during maintenance!

OldSchool
OldSchool
2 months ago
Reply to  Jim

Last night a friend told me that Australians are already working ( under US supervision) on doing maintence work on a US nuke in Western Audtralia.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 months ago

I recognise the name. He was also a banker I think? So that will certainly maximise profits for the MIC!
Will it put assets in the hands of the UK military though, beyond the current planned 7 SSN, the current all time low.

Jonathan
Jonathan
2 months ago

Iā€™m still not sure what was the worst decisionā€¦cutting the SSN numbers of destroyer numbers.. SSN numbers are probably overall more impactful cut considering the utility of SSNs and the significance growth in the AAW capability of wider RN escorts. But is a cut that was more problematic in causation ( AKA a load of bollox- ups dating back from 1986)where as the cut in in destroyers was pure immediate short term thinking and cost saving.. so essentially although the SSN cut was a worse decisionā€¦it was more inevitable and driven by wider BS and mistakes than pure immediate cost… Read more Ā»

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
2 months ago

Hi M8, I canā€™t believe Iā€™m going to say this but, BIG BREATH ! It isnā€™t all about the numbers of RN Submarines in the short term. Itā€™s way more fundamental than that, itā€™s about how the system copes with the implications of the AUKUS Treaty and what they mean. IMHO most developed countries struggle to effectively deliver huge projects that involve cross departmental cooperation. You just need to look at UK handling of COVID or the massive failure in US intelligence that missed 9/11 to see that. So we have the AUKUS Treaty which involves MOD, FO, Industry, Education… Read more Ā»

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 months ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

You’re like Jonathan mate, a man of reason!
All true and most encouraging, just requires patience that no one has as the benefits, to hull numbers, are so far away!

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
2 months ago

Thank you, itā€™s taken 6 decades of Swearing, Tea and Beer to get here. Yes itā€™s decades away but just for once itā€™s actually Industry led and itā€™s being fully funded, up front and not a cost cut in sight. Anyone would think someone at HMG asked industry ā€œcan you do this and what do you need to do it properly, efficiently and in a sustainable way ?ā€. Answer is ā€œYes we can, we need A, B, C through to Z, plus new apprentices, we need to start right now, planning issues overcome and itā€™s going to cost Ā£X billions.… Read more Ā»

Andy P
Andy P
2 months ago

He’s got a ‘Sir’ in front of his name so I’m sure he’s the perfect candidate to sort out what the countries involved need with regard to submarines. I’d have preferred someone who was a bit more submariney but what do I know….

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
2 months ago
Reply to  Andy P

I disagree, itā€™s not all about Submarines, itā€™s got far more opportunities than just that. So you need someone with experience of the departmental / political system and how to get it to behave.
AUKUS delivery depends on getting MOD, Industry, Education, Environment and Treasury to all play nicely.
Itā€™s a Venn diagram of sworn enemies, so good luck to him.

As Teddy Roosevelt could have said ā€œWalk softly and carry an International Cooperation Treaty in your handā€. šŸ¤£

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
2 months ago

Is sir Steven already a paid civil servant or is this an appointment of another quango? How much is he being paid and from which budget?
I feel a freedom of information request coming on.

Exroyal.
Exroyal.
2 months ago

Another mandarin jobs for the boys. We need grunts with guns. Not pen pushers.

Vitali Druzhinin
Vitali Druzhinin
2 months ago

As the World Parliament of Peace President Vitali Alexandrovich Druzhinin I commend AUKUS for such dignified professional political military Intelligence appointment of Sir Stevens to the role of permanent advisor . Now, France will lead the attack on Central Russia,and Britain will unite maritime forces to attack China and Russia simultaneously. God will remind Britain of it’s mighty power in the crusades and the unbeatable fleet and the intelligence services in the Middle ages leading them from the East to the Caribbean basin where now the chief battles would ensure. God bless British Empire born again in our mighty God