Australia and the United Kingdom have formalised a new cooperation agreement on defence and security. 

The pact, signed in Canberra by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, emerged from the Australia-UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) meeting, an annual dialogue that has fostered bilateral cooperation since 2006.

“Australia’s relationship with the UK is dynamic and enduring. From the UK’s leadership of support for Ukraine and efforts to address the Houthi threat, to increasing contributions in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific, we continue to work closely together to support a global rules-based order,” Marles said. 

“As the world becomes more complex and uncertain, we must modernise our most important partnerships.”

A joint statement spells out a treaty that encompasses provisions to boost the interoperability of the two nations' armed forces. 

This includes making it easier for them to operate within each other's territories, exemplified by the joint training initiatives for Ukrainian troops in the UK.

The agreement was unveiled following the AUKMIN 2024 consultations in Adelaide, hosted by Marles and Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, alongside their British counterparts. 

The discussions covered a broad range of topics, from condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine to expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and addressing regional security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Both nations reaffirmed their dedication to supporting international norms that respect sovereignty and human rights, with a view to fostering stability and prosperity across both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.