Defense Official Statement on AUKUS Pillar 2 and Exercise Maritime Big Play
Media Statement
Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
August 24, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C.– A senior Defense official provided the following readout of the August 24 meeting between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, and Australian Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
START STATEMENT
The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia convened today for the third meeting of the AUKUS Enhanced Trilateral Security Partnership Ministerial Consultations. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, and Minister for Defence Richard Marles met in person today in Washington, D.C.
The Ministers further advanced AUKUS Pillar 2, which focuses on information and technology sharing, and emerging technologies to counter and deter shared threats. In particular, the Ministers:
- Reviewed progress on developing the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, the data-sharing Digital Integration Environment, and the Quantum Technologies Initiative.
- Discussed additional opportunities to advance their collective military capabilities through joint development and acquisition.
- Welcomed reciprocal access to each other’s exercises and test ranges to develop capabilities and enhance interoperability.
The Ministers also welcomed the announcement of Exercise Maritime Big Play 24 (MBP 24), an advanced undersea warfare exercise between the United States and Australia, demonstrating the seamless integration and operations of their naval forces in an anti-submarine warfare scenario. This exercise will occur in September 2024.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia remain committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific. AUKUS is an enduring partnership that deepens defense cooperation to address common threats and support common interests. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia will continue to work closely together to ensure regional stability and security.
END STATEMENT
Additional Information
The AUKUS Enhanced Trilateral Security Partnership was announced on September 15, 2021, by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. AUKUS is a historic agreement that deepens defense and security cooperation between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia in a number of important areas, including:
- Enhancing information and technology sharing.
- Developing new capabilities and technologies.
- Strengthening supply chain resilience.
- Enhancing exercises and training.
Exercise Maritime Big Play 24 is an advanced undersea warfare exercise that will demonstrate the seamless integration and operations of the U.S. and Australian naval forces in an anti-submarine warfare scenario. The exercise will include a variety of platforms and capabilities, including submarines, ships, aircraft, and unmanned underwater vehicles.
Defense Official Statement on AUKUS Pillar 2 and Exercise Maritime Big Play
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