MP: Benefits across the UK
In a Statement today in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister confirmed the United States, United Kingdom and Australia would form the AUKUS defence pact. This will see the US and UK help Australia with the technology and knowhow necessary to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine fleet. There will also be further opportunities to deepen security cooperation and further integration on defence science and technology.
In the Chamber, John said,
“I congratulate the Prime Minister on this welcome announcement. One of the reasons some of us opposed our interventions since 2003 is that they distracted us from greater challenges, including those in the Indo-Pacific. This agreement will also benefit jobs and expertise across the UK, but will the 12 submarines presently contracted to the French now be rebid for?”
The Prime Minister responded that he could not go into the details of the contracts, and that the Australian submarine programme will call upon skills from all across the UK.
John said afterwards,
“I very much welcome the announcement of the AUKUS security pact – strategic alliances are increasingly important as powerful and potentially-hostile countries emerge. The development of a nuclear-powered Australian submarine fleet will bring many security improvements for the Indo-Pacific region as well as the possibility of greater employment in the UK.”
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