UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
HMS Queen Elizabeth with F-35B fighter jets and Merlin Helicopters on the flight deck. (Photo: MoD/ Crown Copyright)
BAE Systems has completed the management and delivery of overseas support to UK RN Carrier Strike Group 21 (CGS21) by maintaining five classes of ships at reach.
Since CSG21 departed in May 2021 with the first operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth, around 100 engineers and technicians from BAE supported the strike group from both ashore and onboard.
Maintenance was delivered in many locations as CSG21 progressed along its route, including most recently in the US territory of Guam.
Jon Pearson, warship support director at BAE Systems, said: ‘We have spent months planning and forward-deploying resource and materials for CSG21 and
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The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.