LONDON, England – A groundbreaking advancement in defence trade among the UK, US, and Australia has been unveiled, marking a significant stride for the AUKUS partnership.
The recent reforms, which ease export controls and enhance technology sharing, are expected to lead to up to £500 million in annual UK defence exports and bolster trade worth billions across the three nations. This initiative aims to foster deeper collaboration in developing next-generation technologies, strengthening competitiveness against adversaries, and enhancing interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region, ultimately contributing to economic growth in the UK.
Rooted in strong alliances with Australia and the US, AUKUS is dedicated to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Key details of the defence trade breakthrough include:
The introduction of the UK’s AUKUS Nations Open General Licence, alongside new exemptions to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for the UK and Australia, and updated national exemptions within Australia’s export control framework. These changes will eliminate licensing requirements for exporting and sharing specific defence products, advanced capabilities, technical data, and defence services.
These transformative measures are set to significantly streamline defence trade and technology sharing among AUKUS partners, enabling swifter and more efficient cooperation among scientists, engineers, and defence industries, thereby maximizing the economic, innovative, and security potential of AUKUS.
Defence Secretary, John Healey, commented:
“In a time of increasing global tensions and ongoing conflicts, our alliances are more critical than ever. This achievement enhances collaboration in defence technology and trade among our three nations, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to its role in AUKUS for bolstering military capabilities and driving economic growth.”
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, added:
“This pivotal announcement highlights the evolution of our relationships with the US and Australia. By dismantling obstacles to defence trade and cooperation, we are unlocking vast potential for UK jobs and economic expansion while fortifying global security and stability.”
This announcement follows important discussions between Defence Secretary John Healey and his US and Australian counterparts, including meetings at the NATO Summit in Washington DC and engagements in Sheffield.
The newly announced defence trade adjustments will simplify licensing for exports, re-transfers, and re-exports within and among the UK, US, and Australia, enhancing collaborative prospects and reducing compliance costs and timelines for UK defence projects.
As the third anniversary of AUKUS approaches, partners remain dedicated to working with stakeholders to ensure these changes yield substantial benefits, unlock new opportunities, and promote outcomes aligned with shared interests.
