SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia and Britain will “battle again” in opposition to cyber assaults from China, Russia, and Iran, defence minister Peter Dutton mentioned forward of consultations with Britain in Sydney.
Australia’s defence and international affairs ministers will meet with Britain’s defence secretary Ben Wallace and international secretary Liz Truss on Friday for the annual Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).
Australia and Britain would coordinate cyber sanction regimes to extend deterrence, elevating the prices for hostile state exercise in our on-line world, mentioned international affairs minister Marise Payne, after signing an settlement on Thursday with Truss.
“Australia is dedicated to working with companions such because the UK to problem malign actors who use expertise to undermine freedom and democracy,” Payne mentioned in an announcement.
Dutton mentioned Friday’s assembly would have a giant deal with cyber.
“Each the UK and Australia get common assaults from Russia and from China, Iran and different international locations,” he mentioned on radio, including they might “battle again”.
Discussions may even determine areas the place Australia and the Britain can work collectively within the Indo-Pacific area, and Australia’s nuclear submarine program.
The brand new Aukus defence alliance with Britain and america, which final 12 months prompted Australia to cancel a contract for a traditional French submarine in favour of a nuclear submarine prpgram supported by america and Britain, was essential for Australia, he mentioned.
“They’re huge international locations and so they have huge navy machines and are vital allies and mates for us as a smaller nation of solely 25 million individuals if we’re going to deter international locations from aggressive behaviour,” he mentioned.
(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Enhancing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Supply: KFGO
