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.
Royal Marines taking part in Arctic training in Norway have carried out an exercise alongside a Norwegian stealth missile ship.
The exercise in the fjords of northern Norway saw marines of Plymouth-based 47 Commando, the small boat raiding specialists of 3 Commando Brigade, work closely with Norwegian counterparts and their stealth corvette.
Commandos were dropped ashore by the Skjold class corvette, which has a low radar signature and anti-ship missiles. Once ashore, a reconnaissance team was tasked with securing a keying landing point, allowing for resupply to flow through a contested area.
The commandos moved into position, securing the area and coordinating an offshore raiding craft and Vikings from Armoured Support Group to provide protection as the Norwegian corvette moved in.
Once alongside and secure, the Commando Logistics Regiment (CLR) brought forward vital supplies to replenish the corvette and prepare it for further tasking.
Captain Jack Denniss, Operations Officer of 539 Raiding Squadron, said: ‘The range, stealth and firepower of the corvette aligns perfectly with the Future Commando Force operating model that the Royal Marines are moving towards.
‘This exercise has been a good example of the flexibility offered by 3 Commando Brigade. One of the unique strengths of CLR is their ability to sustain both brigade assets and allied forces in extreme conditions, without the presence of any major infrastructure.’
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.