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3mo ago

UK and Australia Pledge Joint Defence Readiness Over Taiwan

The Geelong Treaty cements AUKUS nuclear submarine collaboration to back stepped-up carrier drills alongside planned Taiwan Strait transits

British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is escorted by tugboats as it leaves from Portsmouth Naval Base on the south coast of England, on April 22 for deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
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Overview

  • Defence Secretary John Healey declared that the UK stands ready to fight alongside Australia in the Pacific if conflict breaks out over Taiwan.
  • Healey made his remarks aboard HMS Prince of Wales docked in Darwin for joint war games with Australian and US forces.
  • Ministers signed the Geelong Treaty, establishing a 50-year framework for AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine development to reinforce long-term deterrence.
  • Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain will increase freedom of navigation operations through the Taiwan Strait to uphold international maritime rules.
  • China’s embassy in London issued a formal protest, accusing the UK-Australia joint statements of unwarranted accusations and political manipulation.