UK's landmark defence pact with US and Australia is under threat, MPs warn

MPs have warned the UK's landmark security pact with the US and Australia is being threatened by dwindling political leadership, faltering investment and an overstretched submarine service.

The AUKUS deal, announced in 2021, is expected to see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the UK and the US, as well as bring closer co-operation between the three countries on new defence technology.

But a new Commons defence committee report warns that "shortcomings and failures" are threatening to prevent that promise from becoming a reality.

It says problems with the pact are down to "a lack of funding or prioritisation" rather than any underlying technical issues and urged Sir Keir Starmer to play a "more prominent role" to counter "political drift".

"Any undertaking of this scale requires committed, consistent political will and leadership," said committee chairman Tan Dhesi, a Labour MP. "AUKUS can't be seen as just another defence programme; if it is to stay on track, then leadership must come from the very top."

Read more: What is the AUKUS submarines pact?

The report also calls for a more proactive approach to engaging with the public on the pact.

The committee identifies problems with investment, particularly at the UK's only submarine-building facility at Barrow-in-Furness, which it described as "too big to fail".

It warned that investment must not be allowed to slip again, with the pact's success heavily dependent on the shipyard in Cumbria.

Mr Dhesi warned that even minor investment delays could "snowball over time" and potentially lead to severe consequences for Britain's national security and its standing with the US and Australia.

'No breathing space'

MPs also called for rapid improvements at the Devonport and Clyde submarine bases to reduce pressure on an already overstretched Royal Navy.

The committee heard regular visits to Australia by British submarines, as required under the agreement, could leave the navy with "no breathing space" in a crisis, given the limited availability of attack submarines.

The UK sent HMS Anson, its only available Astute-class attack submarine, to Australia for one of these visits earlier this year, but this visit was reportedly cut short following the outbreak of the Iran war.

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Mr Dhesi warned that without urgent infrastructure improvements at Devonport and Clyde due to the critically low submarine availability, the government risks being unable to meet AUKUS obligations.

The committee also expressed concerns about co-operation on new defence technology between the countries. It found that while it could be "transformative", it has so far "failed to deliver on its promise".

(c) Sky News 2026: UK's landmark defence pact with US and Australia is under threat, MPs warn