Australia and UK sign $50m military deal to combat China threat

Australia and the UK have reached a multimillion-dollar military deal to “strengthen resilience in cyberspace, state threats and maritime security”.

Australia and the UK have signed a new $50 million security package to deal with the China threat.

Britain has signed a $50 million “new partnership” with Australia to combat threats from China to international maritime sealanes about the Pacific.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the security package, discussed with counterpart Scott Morrison overnight, would see the strongest bilateral militaries co-operation for a generation.

The move comes less than six months since the controversial signing of the AUKUS pact, between Australia, the UK and the US which includes the provision of nuclear powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a virtual tele conference with UK Prime Minster Boris Johnson at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The detail of the $50 million deal is not yet clear but is said to include regional projects

designed to “strengthen resilience in cyberspace, state threats and maritime security”.

The shift is already seeing British warships far from home, spending more time in the Middle East and the Pacific, the latter which Allies have long agreed remained a powder keg for conflict in the face of China expansionism over disputed islands with Japan, sea lands with Philippines and Vietnam, seas with Indonesia and threats of invasion of Taiwan.

The British Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected in the Pacific later this year.

HMS Queen Elizabeth pictured sailing through the Suez Canal for the first time. Photo: Royal Navy

China has also moved through the Pacific Islands with offers of billions of dollars in financial aid to island nations to lease them ports and military bases, in what analysts describe as debt trap diplomacy.

Mr Johnson said Wednesday’s agreement was part of “forging a new partnership from a historic alliance”.

It also included agreements on energy and green initiatives.

“The UK and Australia are working together to enhance regional security in the Indo-Pacific, drive innovation in science and green technology and boost opportunities for our businesses and citizens,” he said.

“Our nations are forging a new partnership from a historic alliance, fit for the next century and grounded in our shared priorities on security, democracy and free and fair trade.”

His office added the UK was wanting to position the UK as the “European partner of choice in the Indo-Pacific”.