The Aukus nuclear submarine project “will fuel growth,” says Healey

The Defense Secretary has said Britain is engaged in a joint plan with the US and Australia to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

John Healey said the Aukus defense project was a “fundamental” part of the UK’s future security, which would fuel economic growth.

He spoke while visiting a military steel supplier in Sheffield with Richard Marles, Australia’s defense minister and deputy prime minister.

Mr Healey, fresh from the NATO summit in Washington DC, visited Sheffield Forgemasters, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence, alongside his Australian counterpart.

He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Aukus and highlighted its role in creating jobs.

Mr Healey said: “Working with allies and partners is fundamental to our security and it is therefore a pleasure to host my Australian counterpart in his first two weeks as Defense Secretary.

“The UK and Australia are the closest of friends and our work through Aukus is testament to that.”

The MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, in South Yorkshire, added: “Sheffield Forgemasters is a shining light of British industry, helping to increase global security and employing skilled staff from the local community.

“This is just one example of how our hugely important partnership with our Australian and American partners can help generate jobs and growth in the UK.”

The visit comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, with the leaders underlining their commitment to the partnership.

Mr Marles also visited HMNB Clyde in Scotland to see first-hand how Britain operates its nuclear submarine base.

The Aukus submarines are aimed at countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

They could operate further and faster than Australia’s existing diesel fleet, with the country able to carry out long-range strikes against enemies for the first time.

Under the agreement, sailors from the Royal Australian Navy are to be sent to submarine bases in the US and UK to learn how to operate nuclear-powered submarines.

From 2027, the US and UK will also base a small number of nuclear submarines in Perth, Western Australia.

Canberra is to buy three US-model Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s, with an option to buy two more.

After that, the plan is to design and build a completely new nuclear-powered submarine for the British and Australian navies, which is known as the SSN-AUKUS.

The craft will be built in the UK and Australia to a British design, using technology from all three countries.