<\/p>\n
The United Kingdom and Australia inked a new defence agreement in Canberra on Thursday, as they try to boost a fledgling nuclear-powered submarine programme with the United States.<\/p>\n
UK defence minister Grant Shapps signed the agreement in Canberra with his counterpart Richard Marles, establishing a legal framework that makes it easier to host troops and share military intelligence.<\/p>\n
The agreement stops short of a full mutual defence pact, which would bind one side to intervene if the other was attacked.<\/p>\n
But it does include a \u201ccommitment to consult\u201d about emerging threats and establishes a \u201cstatus of forces agreement\u201d, which makes it easier to host soldiers from the other nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is extraordinary, actually, the United Kingdom and Australia didn\u2019t already have a defence cooperation treaty in place,\u201d Shapps said after the signing ceremony.<\/p>\n
Alongside the United States, Australia and the UK are members of the fledgling AUKUS defence alliance \u2014 a landmark pact aimed at curbing Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n
Barely two years old, there are already signs the AUKUS programme is under threat \u2014 and some fear Donald Trump could scrap it completely if he returns to power next year.<\/p>\n
Australian National University security analyst David Andrews said Thursday\u2019s agreement gave the stalling AUKUS plan some much-needed momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there was a Trump administration at end of year, and for whatever reason they were not interested in pursuing the agreement, or not in the same way it is envisioned now, there is potential for a heavier bilateral pathway,\u201d Andrews told AFP<\/em>.<\/p>\n A major pillar of the AUKUS pact<\/a> is a promise to help Australia build and acquire a fleet of potent nuclear-powered submarines, one of its biggest-ever military upgrades.<\/p>\n Thursday\u2019s agreement would make it easier, for example, for Australian sailors to train on the UK\u2019s nuclear subs, or for British crews to be based in Australia.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a reflection of increased engagement between our two defence forces,\u201d said Australian defence minister Marles.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it will greatly streamline the ability for us to work together.\u201d<\/p>\n London and Canberra have pledged to consult each other if looming regional threats start veering towards conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cI think one of the most important elements is it describes a mechanism by which we consult when either of our countries are under threat,\u201d said Shapps.<\/p>\n Australia is deeply involved in US-led efforts to counter China\u2019s increasingly assertive behaviour in the Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n Among a host of other initiatives included in the deal is \u201ccloser collaboration on undersea warfare\u201d, and greater UK contribution to Australian-hosted joint military exercises.<\/p>\n Australia has also agreed to join a coalition with the UK and Latvia that aims to supply drones for the Ukrainian war effort.<\/p>\n The UK has been a major backer of Ukraine in its grinding war against invading Russian forces.<\/p>\n High-level talks are slated to continue on Friday, when UK foreign secretary David Cameron meets Australian foreign minister Penny Wong in Adelaide.<\/p>\nConsult on threats<\/h2>\n