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Brigadier Marcus Simson, defence adviser at the British high commission, explains how enhanced technology sharing arrangements and a joint commitment to stability under the AUKUS partnership will help preserve the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
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In October 1960, the Royal Navy launched HMS Dreadnought, its first nuclear powered submarine. This was the start of a new sovereign capability for the UK, made possible by our partnership with the United States. It is fitting that almost 61 years later, AUKUS offers the same capability to Australia.
AUKUS is a powerful new defence and security partnership between the UK, Australia and the United States. This is a strategic partnership that reflects the profound trust and enduring co-operation between our three countries – countries tied by our shared history, values and outlooks. It is not exclusive and complements our wider collaboration and networks, including the vitally important Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership. Under this agreement, and with like-minded allies and friends, we will defend our shared interests in the Indo-Pacific, protect our people and support a peaceful and rules-based international order.
We live in a competitive age, and as we look to support peace and stability across the region and deter the aggression of others, our partnerships, our presence and our capabilities matter. The deployment of the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific exemplifies this – a fifth generation capability, operating with allies and partners throughout and demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the region.
This deployment will be followed seamlessly by our patrol ships HMS Spey and Tamar who will remain in the region on an enduring basis to demonstrate our commitment, maintain our presence and to build our partnerships. As Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, AUKUS is “a partnership where our technology, our scientists, our industry, our defence forces will work together to deliver a safer and more secure region that ultimately benefits all”.
With the United States, our first initiative is to support the Royal Australian Navy to develop and operate safely its own nuclear-powered submarines, creating a new sovereign capability and industrial sector. Now 61 years on from the launch of HMS Dreadnought, the UK has much to offer, but this is not about resting on our laurels. AUKUS also demands that we seize the opportunities for collaboration on emerging and high-end technologies across the spectrum of capabilities. We must modernise and be at the cutting edge of technology, enabled by AI, quantum computing and autonomous systems. We must be integrated across the five domains, across all elements of our national power, together. We will support each other through security and defence-related science and innovation, technology, industrial bases and supply chains.
For the UK, this means sharing our world-leading expertise and experience to the benefit of our partners and the wider Indo-Pacific region. As global leaders, we have a responsibility to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and deploy our partnership in support of our shared values and interests to the protection of our people.
Peaceful resolution to global conflicts must always be our highest and primary aspiration, and AUKUS means our combined team will always be match fit and well-equipped to preserve the rules.
Brigadier Marcus Simson is currently serving as a defence adviser at the British high commission, having commanded the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2008-2010) and serving as the Military Assistant to the Director of Force Reintegration in HQ ISAF.
This article originally appeared in the Defence Connect maritime special edition, which can be viewed here.
