Guidance

Terms of Reference

Published 29 August 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/appointment-of-aukus-adviser-and-report-terms-of-reference/terms-of-reference

AUKUS is the most significant defence, security, and diplomatic agreement the UK has entered in the past 60 years. It promises to:

  • provide the nuclear enterprise with the scale it needs to achieve a sustainable footing
  • reshape the UK’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific
  • enable accelerated development of a range of advanced technologies by AUKUS partners that would otherwise be inaccessible and open new routes for collaboration with UK Industry

AUKUS has made good progress, notably on the nuclear submarine Pillar and in reforming export controls across the three nations, but its scale, importance and longevity demand that it is established on the soundest foundation to maximise the benefits of its many interlocking strands, and to minimise the risks that such a complex enterprise could incur.

As we look to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the AUKUS announcement this September, it is right that a new government takes stock of the programme in its entirety to ensure the UK is shaping an ambitious plan for the future and taking the fullest possible advantage of this new defence and security partnership.   

Accordingly, HMG is appointing Sir Stephen Lovegrove as the UK Government’s AUKUS Adviser, to lead a piece of work to reinforce the progress and benefits of the AUKUS programme.

Sir Stephen will report to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor. His report will be overseen by the Defence Secretary and also form a contribution to the longer Strategic Defence Review (SDR). It will propose the UK’s strategic ambition for AUKUS going forward. 

Sir Stephen will be supported by DG AUKUS and the Central AUKUS team who will provide the secretariat and support engagement with the full range of UK and US/Australia stakeholders. His team will periodically dock into the SDR team to ensure reciprocal updates on progress and emerging issues.

Sir Stephen’s report will establish progress against the original AUKUS ambition so far, identify any barriers to success, and how to unlock further areas of opportunity to maximise the potential of AUKUS.

 Specifically, the report will cover:

  • the leadership of the AUKUS programme, both ministerial and official, to ensure maximum cohesion and delivery focus in both Pillars 1 and 2
  • progress in developing the nuclear and submarine enterprise required to deliver SSN-AUKUS in the UK and Australia, under Pillar 1, in an approach which protects classified information and strengthens the global non-proliferation regime
  • progress in identifying and co-developing, co-producing and co-sustaining priority advanced capabilities under Pillar 2; and considering how resources can best be prioritised to be most effective under Pillar 2
  • progress in developing the necessary enabling framework to allow effective working across the three nations (e.g., export controls, information sharing, etc)
  • the capacity and capabilities of the industrial base and industry partners, including both prime and sub-prime contractors, and the ability of the latter to access the programme effectively, and recommend changes where necessary
  • examining the HMG-Defence industry relationship and regulations to maximise value for money and prioritise faster delivery and recommend changes where necessary
  • the wider opportunities of the AUKUS enabling framework
  • the impact of introducing new partners into Pillar 2 projects beyond the UK, US, and Australia
  • the strength of the underpinning international arrangements and any concerns that international partners may have
  • the adequacy and appropriateness of the official Whitehall structures to deliver the programme
  • the need or otherwise for AUKUS to develop co-ordinated approach to adjacent policy areas, for instance, the regional development of Barrow
  • the role of AUKUS in supporting wider UK industrial strategy, innovation, and growth

Sir Stephen will report his findings to the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, and the Chancellor by the end of October in a form that will enable unclassified publication. A classified version of the report will also be produced.

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