London | If you thought striking a $368 billion deal to build nuclear submarines was challenging, the next phase of AUKUS could be more daunting still, according to Australia’s new man in London, Stephen Smith.

It took 18 months for the three countries to nut out a plan to share sensitive technology and co-design a new class of nuclear submarine. But Mr Smith – who started as high commissioner at the end of January – says that is only the start.