UK hails major breakthrough in AUKUS partnership

In a written statement to Parliament, Defence Secretary John Healey provided a an update on the ongoing progress within the AUKUS strategic partnership, highlighting key advancements in defence trade and nuclear submarine development.

The AUKUS alliance, involving the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, was described by Healey as a “groundbreaking strategic defence and security partnership” that underscores the UK’s enduring commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region.

One of the most notable achievements Healey announced was the reform of defence export controls among AUKUS nations. On 16 August 2024, the UK government introduced the AUKUS Nations Open General Licence, a significant regulatory change aimed at streamlining defence trade among the three partners.

Healey referred to this development as a “historic breakthrough in defence trade collaboration”, explaining that the move, in combination with exemptions from the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and adjustments in Australia’s export framework, will “significantly ease our licensing requirements for the export and sharing of certain defence products”.

He spoke of the economic benefits of these changes, noting that “these changes alone will support up to £500 million in UK defence exports each year, generating billions of dollars of trade across all three nations.” Healey also pointed out that this will create new jobs and bolster economic growth in communities across the UK, driven by improved cooperation between scientists, engineers, and defence industries within the AUKUS nations.

Progress has also been made on Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, a key component of the AUKUS agreement. On 5 August 2024, the three nations signed a Trilateral Agreement on Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion, facilitating the exchange of nuclear propulsion technology and enabling the future transfer of materials and equipment to Australia. This agreement, according to Healey, “reaffirms and is consistent with partners’ respective non-proliferation commitments,” ensuring that cooperation “continues to be undertaken in a way that is fully consistent with our international obligations and sets the highest non-proliferation standard.”

Further illustrating the progress made within AUKUS, Healey pointed to the Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period at HMAS Stirling in Australia, which began on 23 August 2024. This initiative marks the first time that Australian personnel, supported by a US Submarine Tender and observed by Royal Navy officers, have participated in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine. The training and cooperation are intended to prepare Australia for operating and maintaining its future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

To ensure that the UK maximises the strategic and economic benefits of AUKUS, Sir Stephen Lovegrove has been appointed as the UK Government’s AUKUS Adviser. Lovegrove, who has previously served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and National Security Adviser, has been tasked with assessing the UK’s progress on AUKUS goals. His findings will help identify any existing barriers to success and outline new opportunities. According to Healey, “the AUKUS report will be completed rapidly and will set out any existing barriers to success alongside areas of opportunity the UK could be taking advantage of.”

Healey concluded his statement by reaffirming the government’s commitment to the partnership: “AUKUS is the most significant defence, security, and diplomatic arrangement the UK has entered in the past 60 years… this Government is fully committed to this national endeavour: working with partners, stakeholders and industry to achieve the maximum economic and security benefits possible, while upholding stability, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.”