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The Australian federal government has signed an information security agreement with European partner countries.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles signed the security agreement on the protection of classified information with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) in Canberra on 14 November.
The agreement facilitates the exchange of classified information between Australia and OCCAR to support Defence equipment programs and strengthen Australia’s ties with European partners.
“Australia’s strategic relationship with Europe continues to grow, and this arrangement is a true reflection of our strategic and industrial ties,” according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
“Participation in OCCAR programs reflects the Albanese government’s emphasis on cost effective and efficient acquisition of complex Defence capabilities.”
OCCAR is a European-based intergovernmental organisation that manages defence equipment production and sustainment programs for the benefit of member states including France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Spain as well as non-member states participating in OCCAR programs such as Australia, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, and the Netherlands.
“The relationship with OCCAR provides Australia with access to European industry and supports Australia’s procurement and sustainment of leading-edge defence technology,” according to Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
“It provides Australia the opportunity to collaborate with European partners on advanced defence technology and integrate the Australian defence industry with European-based global primes.”
Earlier this month, representatives from Australia and the United States announced plans for a defence technology-sharing agreement at the Indo Pacific 2023 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney on 7 November.
Government representatives from the US, Australia, and the United Kingdom laid out plans for the agreement during the AUKUS Advanced Capabilities (Pillar II): Industry Update with Senior Officials briefing hosted by the Department of Defence.
Under the plans, all three partner countries would share individual and shared development capabilities, as well as pass legislation to build a system of licence-free trade for companies and institutions to share classified and unclassified technology and work on shared projects.
That development would include AUKUS capabilities such as electronic warfare, counter-EW, hypersonic technology, cyber, undersea and other critical innovations to shape the strategic environment.
Australian government representatives described the initiative as an “expanded backyard with higher fences” where workforce and programs move smoothly between the three countries.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced legislation to enable sharing of military technology and weapon systems between Australia and the United States will likely be introduced by the end of the year.
