The UK, US and Australia have declared AUKUS “full steam ahead” after Washington completed its internal review, with all three governments shifting from planning to delivery of submarines and advanced technologies, the Ministry of Defence stated.
Meeting at the Pentagon, Defence Secretary John Healey joined US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles to reinforce that the trilateral programme must now move faster amid rising global instability.
Healey said “this is full steam ahead for AUKUS. Our reviews are done. Now, we deliver,” adding that “business as usual is not an option.”
According to the MoD, the UK has committed £6 billion in the last 18 months to modernise critical facilities at Barrow and Derby, enabling continuous submarine production and the construction of a new AUKUS-class attack submarine every 18 months. The SSN-AUKUS design is expected to be the Royal Navy’s most capable attack submarine to date, with the programme projected to support more than 7,000 new UK jobs and sustain 21,000 roles at peak production.
The MoD also notes that more than 3,000 jobs linked to nuclear work have already been created since July 2024, with a further 4,400 construction roles anticipated. Healey said the investment shows “defence as an engine for growth – boosting our shared security, keeping our people safe and creating good jobs across our three nations.”
The UK sees AUKUS as both a strategic and industrial pillar. The MoD states the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise is projected to support around 65,000 UK jobs by 2030, with nuclear-sector salaries averaging 20 percent above the national average. Officials argue the programme is bringing long-term economic benefits to regions most in need of skilled employment.
Beyond submarines, the meeting signalled a push under AUKUS Pillar II to accelerate delivery of advanced military technologies for frontline use. The UK highlighted its parallel efforts to strengthen innovation within NATO, including its new hybrid Navy approach, and its technical support to Australia under the Geelong Treaty as Canberra prepares to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
Healey framed the moment as a turning point for the partnership, stating “AUKUS is too significant and the stakes are too high for it to be allowed to drift. Our driving focus now is overcoming any barriers to delivery. And the UK is all in.”
I’m pretty sure there is a very long build portion before we are ever anywhere near the ‘delivery’ phase of this project. Standard boilerplate PR nonsense.
Guys I’m scared, I have a feeling like one of the services has a cohesive strategy for the next decade and I’ve never experienced it before in my life, I don’t know what to do with it.
Well, a UKDJ group “counselling” session might help. We could set up regional “workshops” where “safe spaces” are available with trained, SMEs on military matters are on hand to talk through things?
These should also come with “panic and frustration rooms” like those in Japan where you can go and beat the padded walls in despair at HMGs latest blockbuster.
I volunteer to run the Southern England one.
We need 8 others: West of England, Wales, Midlands, East of England, North West, North East, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Eastern England one should come complete with motorbike sessions and Phals.
The Scottish one would be interesting, given their attitude to all thinks nuclear.
Phals?