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.
Anzac-class frigates are among the Royal Australian Navy vessels to feature the 9LV combat management system.
Concern remains high about the Attack-class submarine programme for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Despite assurances from the government and designer Naval Group, Shephard remains sceptical that the construction of 12 submarines will proceed as smoothly as the two sides claim, with the project’s estimated price already having risen to A$90 billion ($70 billion).
Nonetheless, Canberra announced on 23 March that it had inserted a commitment into the 2019 Strategic Partnering Agreement (SPA) that would ensure a minimum of 60% of the price of Project Sea 1000 is spent locally over the lifetime of the programme.
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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.