New AUKUS Submarine Programme Office

The U.K. government is set to announce the establishment of a new "Programme Interface Office" to coordinate and integrate its AUKUS submarine programme and supply chain with those of its Australian counterparts.

The new office, to be based in Bristol, will be announced at today's (Monday's) AUKMIN annual ministerial meeting between the two nations. As per a Ministry of Defence press statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey are hosting Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in London.

At the meeting plans will also be revealed for the U.K. Carrier Strike Group to deploy to Australia next year. HMS Prince of Wales will participate in Talisman Sabre, a multinational exercise hosted by Australia  involving 19 nations. The 2025 deployment will mark the first time a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier has conducted an antipodean port visit. 

The meeting will also detail how the two nations are working together on undersea warfare cooperation: Australia is set to equip its Hunter-Class frigates with Thales’ 2087 sonar system in a move also estimated to be worth roughly £45 million to the U.K. economy. Australia will also extend its support for training members of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Foreign Secretary Lammy commented: "The U.K. and Australia have a long and enduring friendship underpinned by close trade ties that are benefiting Brits and Aussies alike.   

The growth mission is the central mission of the government. We want to go further to deepen our cooperation with countries like Australia to boost economic growth, build supply chain resilience and transition to net zero."

Defence Secretary, John Healey added: "Our unique and historic partnership with Australia is more important than ever in the face of increasing global threats. Today’s announcements demonstrate how our two nations, working in lockstep, can help drive jobs and growth while reinforcing our collective security.

Through our joint support to Ukraine, AUKUS partnership and high-end military exercises, we are proving the value of cooperation in delivering security and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.” 

• You can read more details on the U.K. MoD website