AP

UK minister vows wide-ranging support for Australian subs

Sep 1, 2022, 11:15 AM | Updated: 11:16 pm

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The British international trade secretary on Friday promised wide-ranging support to Australia in developing and maintaining a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan was speaking in the Australian city of Adelaide at the end of a nine-day tour of Britain’s two new free trade partners, New Zealand and Australia.

The United States, Britain and Australia announced a year ago a new partnership called AUKUS to provide an Australian fleet of next-generation submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.

Australia has yet to decide whether it will opt for the U.S. Virginia-class or British Astute-class model.

Trevelyan described AUKUS as a “deep strategic partnership” that reflected mutual trust and longtime cooperation.

“I am personally committed to ensuring that the whole ecosystem which we have in the U.K. to build, upskill and maintain our own U.K. submarine enterprise will be right alongside you and our Australian friends and allies as you start on this complex and technically demanding defense commitment,” Trevelyan told an Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce forum.

“It’s going to span everything from construction to creating a nuclear engineering skills ecosystem to the training of your sailors to the through-life maintenance support and decommissioning of your AUKUS submarines,” Trevelyan added.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles visited Britain’s BAE Systems submarine-building facilities this week and attended the commissioning of the HMS Anson, the fifth of Britain’s new Astute submarines.

Marles announced that the British had agreed to allow “a significant number” of Australian submariners to train and serve on the new fleet.

Australia lacks nuclear expertise, having only one nuclear reactor. The Lucas Heights reactor in Sydney produces nuclear isotopes for medical use.

Trevelyan returns home on Saturday and will introduce legislation to the House of Commons on Tuesday that would make the British-Australian free trade deal law.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

10 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

10 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

10 hours ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

4 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

6 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

6 days ago

UK minister vows wide-ranging support for Australian subs