Investing in Defence

Pat Conroy, the Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Island Affairs, yesterday opened the Defence Industry and Capability Forum in Sydney.

Here’s the full text of the Minister’s Opening Address extolling, among other things, Australia’s long defence ties to the United Kingdom.

This forum could not come at a more challenging time.

Strong defence of our country—including the need to invest in our defence industry, people and systems—is a critical part of our response to that challenge.

After all, the first responsibility of any government is to protect the nation’s people, its interests and its sovereignty.

When we as nation look out to the world, inevitably, we all see much common ground.

Since 2022, Australia has signed agreements to elevate our security relationships throughout the Pacific, Asia and beyond – strengthening alliances and partnerships both old and new.

But it is our oldest partnership – with the UK – that we are here to celebrate today.

A partnership that is based in history and strengthened by shared democratic values and institutions, including the Westminster system of government that underpins both our democracies.

Beyond shared language and institutions, Australia and the United Kingdom have a forward-looking partnership spanning defence, security, diplomacy, technology and industry.

Indeed, just two weeks’ ago I hosted my counterpart Luke Pollard, the UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, in Canberra.

We agreed to expand cooperation on the Active Electronically Scanned Array radar capability, which is supplied by Canberra-based company CEA Technologies.

We will need this partnership as we navigate an increasingly contested global strategic environment.

And we will need to draw strength from the principles of fairness, equality, democracy, accountable government and respect for diversity that underpin our open societies.

Principles that Australia, the United Kingdom – and our like-minded partners – have advanced and defended – often side-by-side.

Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security are increasingly interconnected…

…as both regions confront intensifying strategic competition, rapid military modernisation, and a growing willingness by some states to use coercion to pursue their objectives.

From Russia’s illegal and immoral war against Ukraine to conflict and instability in the Middle East and beyond, the international rules and institutions that support global security are under increasing pressure.

The UK is a leader in global security, from its central role in Europe-Atlantic security to its sustained engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

The rich history of military cooperation between our two countries continues…

…through policy coordination, personnel exchanges, capability development, science and technology collaboration, and operations and exercises worldwide…

… reflecting the exceptional trust, integration and interoperability between us.

The depth of this cooperation is demonstrated by our robust partnerships…

…from the Five Eyes to the Five Power Defence Arrangements…

…Australia’s longest-standing regional security mechanism alongside the UK, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Through the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations we are deepening our relationship and setting the strategic direction for closer cooperation across defence, foreign policy and national security.

We must employ practical measures to strengthen global security and prosperity, reduce the risks of miscalculation, escalation and conflict, and preserve space for dialogue and diplomacy.

Since Russia launched its full scale, illegal invasion of Ukraine, Australia has committed $1.7 billion in military assistance to Ukraine^[i].

Alongside the United Kingdom, NATO Allies and partners around the world, Australia continues to support Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s aggression.

Our Defence support has taken two principal forms: materiel and financial support; and operational activities undertaken by the Australian Defence Force under Operation KUDU.

Through Operation KUDU, the ADF is participating as an operational partner under NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine initiative.

ADF personnel also deployed to the UK-led Operation Interflex from January 2023 to June 2026.

Together with our partners, our soldiers contributed to the training of more than 63,000 Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in infantry tactics, leadership and essential military skills.

This training support has now pivoted to the Norwegian-led Operation LEGIO in Poland.

Amidst these contributions, I am proud to have represented Australia at this year’s NATO Leaders’ Summit in Türkiye. Australia’s longstanding partnership with NATO is testament to our commitment to addressing common security challenges across the globe.

Our regions, though far apart, are strategically interconnected.

Just as Australia is invested in defending the sovereignty of Ukraine – instability in the Indo-Pacific would have a direct impact on the security of Europe.

We are also working with NATO – and the UK in particular – as we continue to find opportunities for enhanced defence industrial collaboration.

The Hunter Class frigate program combines British design expertise with Australian shipbuilding…

…to deliver advanced warships with anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

In an exciting milestone, I had the great honour of laying a ceremonial coin just yesterday as part of the keel laying for the new ship, HMAS Hunter, the first Hunter Class frigate.

This was a significant moment in itself as part of the Hunter class program.

But it represents much more than that…

It was the first such ceremony of what will be a steady drumbeat over the decades to come – in the United Kingdom and here in Australia – as we work together on more of these frigates, and indeed on our future AUKUS submarines.

And so this relationship matters.

It matters for our security. For the thousands of jobs it has already created and the tens of thousands more jobs it will create.

It matters for the generational opportunities the UK and Australian relationship is creating and the wealth it will generate here and in the UK.

Australia and the UK’s technological collaboration through AUKUS Pillars I and II will intertwine our defence industrial bases for decades to come.

Conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under Pillar I alongside the advanced capabilities developed under Pillar II, will enhance our ability to deter aggression and contribute to stability in the Indo Pacific.

Our partnership with the UK is strengthening Australia’s sovereign submarine industrial base…

…through long-term workforce placements, acquisition of long lead items, and joint submarine maintenance.

Australian personnel at the BAE Systems Submarines shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness have direct access to the UK’s world-class nuclear-submarine design and build enterprise.

This experience will support the SSN-AUKUS program by building Australian engineering, technical design, quality control and supply chain expertise.

Australia has committed $310 million to the acquisition of long lead items for SSN-AUKUS – which Rolls-Royce Submarines has commenced manufacturing – including those required for the nuclear propulsion systems of our first two submarines.

And the UK has committed to deploying nuclear-powered submarines to Australia as part of Submarine Rotational Force-West…

…a demonstration of Britain’s commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific.

Earlier this year, HMS Anson visited Perth to conduct maintenance and joint training at naval base HMAS Stirling.

Seventeen Australian companies contributed to this Submarine Maintenance Period, attesting to our developing capacity to operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.

These joint initiatives enhance our defence industrial bases, strengthen our partnership, and make our two countries safer.

And they provide new opportunities for Australian industry and Australian workers.

From our critical mineral resources, to our sovereign developed capabilities such as Ghost Shark – Australian defence industry still has so much more to offer to the UK.

Thank you.