How big a deal is it that Australia has chosen a British design for its nuclear submarines rather than the US one that it could have chosen? Does it really justify Rishi Sunak ‘bouncing on the balls of his feet’, as described by one minister?
True, the machines aren’t actually going to be built in Britain, but in Adelaide. But it isn’t going to do the UK defence industry any harm to be supplying the know-how. For once, the government can celebrate selling arms to a country which can be trusted not to abuse its military kit, and which is not stringing up dissidents by the dozen.
Aukus is a sign of opportunities to come as Britain seeks to forge new relationships post-Brexit
The significance of the deal – which Joe Biden is set to discuss at a meeting with Sunak and the Australian Prime Minister in San Diego on Monday – goes far deeper than UK defence jobs, however.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in