New deal to make AUKUS cooperation easier
Concept of potential AUKUS SSN. (Image: Crown Copyright)
The AUKUS agreement will support Australia’s purchase of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under pillar one. Other pillars of the agreement cover high technology such as cyber, unmanned systems, AI, EW, undersea capabilities and information sharing between the three countries.
The US has improved access to its equipment and technology for AUKUS partner countries Australia and the UK by reducing licensing requirements and providing exemptions within export control systems.
On 21 April, the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released an “interim final rule significantly reducing licensing requirements for Australia and the UK to foster defence trade and technological innovation”.
Partner countries welcomed the passage of the FY24 US National Defense Authorization Act, and legislation passed in the Australian and UK parliaments.
A US State Department spokesperson said: “Exemptions in our export control systems, within a framework of shared standards with Australia and the UK, are key to harnessing and maximizing the innovative power residing in our defence industrial bases.
“Industry, research communities and academic institutions should take full advantage of this innovation-spurring ecosystem.”
The agreement will be expected to be finalised over the next four months.
The reforms will make it easier for public and private sector security institutions to create a more integrated defence industrial base and identify new opportunities for trilateral capability development.
In a separate statement, the UK MoD said the agreement would significantly reduce licensing requirements for both “the UK and Australia and enable the closest possible collaboration between our scientists and engineers and our defence industries as a sector”.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter]()
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule]()
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
