Boris Johnson is set to sign off on a £25million security deal with Australia as part of a new defence pact.
Taking to Twitter last night, Mr Johnson wrote: “The UK and Australia are the closest of friends and historic allies.
“Tonight Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP and I agreed to strengthen the partnership between our nations, making it fit for the next century and grounded in our shared priorities on security, democracy and trade.”
Boris Johnson with Scott Morrison
PA/Kirsty Wigglesworth
The deal comes after the UK, US and Australia forged the AUKUS defence pact five months ago.
It also cements Downing Street’s foreign policy shift towards the Indo-Pacific region after Brexit.
The agreement is specifically intended to strengthen resilience in cyberspace, foreign state threats, and maritime security.
Western intelligence services are increasingly concerned about the threat posed by China and a resurgent Russia.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss travelled Down Under earlier this year as she played her part in forging closer ties between London and Canberra.
She said: “With malign forces threatening global peace and stability it is vital that close allies like the UK and Australia show robust vigilance in defence of freedom and democracy.
“The AUKUS partnership between the UK, Australia and the United States is a clear demonstration of how we will defend our values, protect trade routes and increase stability across the Indo-Pacific.
“In Australia, I will be strengthening our economic, diplomatic and security ties - making our country safer and more competitive - in order to win the battle for ideas as part of our network of liberty.”
