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.
Military figures have reinforced the need for submarines to 'stay relevant' and not trade off stealth in favour of advanced communications.
Speaking on the opening of the UDT Europe conference in Alicante, Spain, on 29 May, Cdre Mark Beverstock, head of capability deterrent and underwater, UK MoD, said: 'Communications need to be covert and quick, but the submarine needs to stay relevant.
'The growth we've seen in bandwidth has not been balanced by the submariners,' he said, explaining that the point of submarines is that they are stealthy and that is the mission requirement, and operators know this.
'There's an
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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.