Tri-nation Pact Could Double Britain's Nuclear Sub Fleet

PM's pledge to protect freedom in face of china threat

- Martyn Brown

RISHI Sunak yesterday announced plans to boost Britain’s nuclear-powered submarine numbers as part of a historic tri-nation alliance.

The Prime Minister joined US President Joe Biden and Australian premier Anthony Albanese in launching a new defence pact during a landmark summit in San Diego, California.

The deal is designed to help Australia back up the West in countering the threat posed by China.

The so-called Aukus agreement will see the UK and US supply nuclear technology to Australia for the first time and help create thousands of jobs in the UK.

It replaces a deal Australia had already signed to buy diesel-powered submarines from France. The pact enraged Emmanuel Macron and sparked warnings from Beijing.

Under the plan, the UK and Australia will both build new submarines to a British-based design known as SSN-AUKUS.

Mr Sunak said: “Sixty years ago, here in San Diego, President Kennedy spoke of ‘a higher purpose – the maintenance of freedom, peace and security.’ Today, we stand together, united by that same purpose.”

He added that countries like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea “all threaten to create a world defined by danger, disorder and division”.

The PM added: “Faced with this new reality, it is more important than ever that we strengthen the resilience of our own countries. That’s why the UK is today announcing a significant uplift in our defence budget.