UK, Australia Sign 50-Year AUKUS Treaty, Support 21,000 Jobs

Australia and Britain have signed a historic 50-year AUKUS treaty to deepen their defence cooperation, focusing on the joint development of a new class of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the trilateral pact with the United States. The treaty is expected to underpin submarine programs, create over 21,000 jobs at its peak in the UK, and generate up to £20 billion ($27 billion) in exports for Britain over 25 years, supporting both nations' industrial capacities and economic growth. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey, meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) in Sydney, emphasized the partnership’s role in bolstering global security and protecting a free and open Indo-Pacific amid rising geopolitical tensions. Following the talks, officials and troops participated in the multinational Talisman Sabre war games in Darwin, involving 40,000 troops from 19 nations, highlighting the strengthened strategic alignment between the UK, Australia, and the US. The treaty also reflects the UK government's Plan for Change by securing high-skilled, well-paid jobs and advancing defence industry growth, while the US is concurrently reviewing the trilateral AUKUS agreement to address regional security challenges posed by China’s military expansion. This agreement cements Britain and Australia’s long-term commitment to regional stability, economic cooperation, and shared defence innovation.