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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong have been joined by their UK counterparts in Sydney for the latest round of Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).
The high-level talks which include UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy MP and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey MP come at a pivotal time in the global strategic environment, as both nations reaffirm their commitment to a deep and enduring partnership built on shared democratic values, long-standing historical ties and common interests across security, trade and global stability.
This is the second AUKMIN meeting since the election of the Starmer government in the United Kingdom and represents a significant opportunity to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across defence, diplomacy, economic resilience and regional engagement particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
Minister Marles said, “The United Kingdom is a critical partner for Australia. We continue to work closely together, including through the AUKUS partnership, to address shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.”
Minister Marles added that AUKMIN 2025 would bring “renewed ambition” to joint defence and diplomatic efforts, aiming to better shape a shared regional and global future amid increasing competition and strategic pressure.
As part of the visit, ministers Marles and Wong will join their British counterparts in Darwin this weekend to observe the deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, a practical demonstration of the growing interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces.
The UK’s participation in the biennial multinational exercise marks a major milestone in Australia–UK military engagement. It underscores the United Kingdom’s increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific under its Global Britain strategy and the broader commitment to AUKUS Pillar I and II cooperation, particularly in the development of nuclear-powered submarines and advanced technologies.
Minister Wong said AUKMIN also plays a key role in addressing a broader set of global challenges, adding, “From building defence capability and boosting economic resilience to standing up for human rights, advancing gender equality and defending the international rules and institutions that protect us all. The United Kingdom remains a vital partner as we navigate a rapidly evolving strategic environment.”
AUKMIN has become the primary platform for the annual 2+2 talks between the Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers. The consultations provide a mechanism for deeper strategic alignment on security policy, defence industrial collaboration, international development, climate action and support for regional partners in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
As both nations seek to deter coercion and reinforce the rules-based order, AUKMIN 2025 is expected to yield further commitments to joint operations, intelligence sharing, capability development and regional engagement initiatives designed to uphold peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.
With shared priorities ranging from countering grey zone threats and cyber risks to enhancing maritime security and sustainable economic development, the Australia–UK relationship continues to evolve into a truly modern strategic partnership for a new era.
