Today the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, will travel to the United Kingdom (UK), France and Austria to further strengthen the Australia-European defence relationship and promote Australian Defence exports.
Minister Pyne’s trip to the UK presents an opportunity to discuss Australia-UK defence and security collaboration with senior UK government officials including Secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable Michael Fallon and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Procurement, Harriet Baldwin MP. Minister Pyne will also meet with industry representatives to discuss opportunities for Australian Defence exports.
“The Australia-UK relationship remains strong through our substantial bilateral defence engagement and our shared contribution to global security challenges,” Minister Pyne said.
“I look forward to meeting with defence and industry representatives to discuss our continued commitment to addressing shared strategic challenges and how we can work together on defence industry and Defence innovation in support of ADF programs,” Minister Pyne said.
Minister Pyne will also deliver the keynote address on ‘Australian Defence Industry and the United Kingdom’ at the Policy Exchange.
Following his visit to the UK, Minister Pyne will travel to France to discuss materiel cooperation, including the commencement of a 50 year partnership with France for Australia’s Future Submarines.
Meetings will be held with the Minister of Defence, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Marc Ayrault, and the Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, Mr Michel Sapin. Minister Pyne will also visit the DCNS shipyard in Cherbourg where France’s Barracuda submarines are being built.
“Australia and France have a longstanding and cooperative Defence relationship based on shared values and a commitment to maintaining the rules-based global order. We are also strong partners in the Pacific where France maintains important capabilities,” Minister Pyne said.
“I look forward to undertaking discussions with the French Government and DCNS on the Future Submarine Program and discussing how DCNS will maximise Australian defence industry involvement in the build.”
Finally, the Minister will visit Austria and Saudi Arabia to undertake capability briefings and promote Australian Defence Industry. Minister Pyne looks forward to meeting with Saudi Arabian Defence Minister, Deputy Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.