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The deputy is set to meet counterparts and leaders of defence industry in the UK, France, and Germany.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles has embarked on his first trip to Europe since assuming office, aimed at enhancing defence and security cooperation with the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
The diplomatic tour, to be held from 29 August to 1 September, is expected to involve meetings with counterpart defence ministers, members of the defence and national security communities, think tanks, and industry partners.
The deputy PM will first visit Germany, meeting with German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht and participating in a roundtable with defence industry.
Minister Marles reflected on Germany’s inaugural participation in Exercise Pitch Black, and his recent meeting with the Luftwaffe in Darwin.
The minister will then fly to the United Kingdom, where he is expected to tour key shipyards and meet with Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace.
“Our relationship with the United Kingdom is both historic and mutually beneficial, and is reflected through our continued commitment to AUKUS,” he said.
The European trip will be rounded off with a trip to France, where the deputy PM will meet with Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
The engagement with French counterparts aims to build on the Albanese government’s commitment to rebuild relations with Paris following a souring of relations in response to the former government’s scrapping of Naval Group’s Attack Class contract.
“…I look forward to meeting with Minister Lecornu in France, where we can develop proposals under the defence and security pillar of the proposed bilateral roadmap,” he added.
Deputy PM Marles said his trip to Europe reflects Australia’s commitment to collaboration with key strategic partners.
“My visit to Europe comes at a time when the war in Ukraine has shown the importance of increasing cooperation with likeminded partners, both in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.”
The minister’s trip to Europe follows his meeting with the Republic of Korea’s Minister for National Defense Lee Jong-sup earlier this month.
The pair discussed deepening defence ties between the two countries as part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was launched in 2021.
