A former Ministry of Defence permanent secretary and national security adviser has been appointed to steer the UK’s participation in its security partnership with Australia and the United States.
Sir Stephen Lovegrove, who spent five years at the helm of the MoD between 2016 and 2021, has been named government AUKUS adviser.
He will lead a piece of work to “reinforce the progress and benefits of the AUKUS programme”, the MoD said.
The AUKUS partnership was announced in September 2021 as a new security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US that would “promote a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable”.
At the time of the announcement, Lovegrove was national security adviser – giving him a “wealth of experience” along with his perm sec roles, the MoD said. He was replaced in that role by Sir Tim Barrow during Liz Truss’s brief tenure as prime minister, with Lovegrove taking on a short-term post as defence industrial adviser instead.
His report, which will be completed by the end of October, will gauge the UK’s progress against AUKUS’s goals so far, and identify both barriers to success and further areas of opportunity for the partnership.
The work will help to ensure the UK reaps the "fullest possible advantage of the AUKUS partnership – ensuring both defence and economic benefits", according to the MoD's announcement.
It will feed into the "root and branch" strategic defence review announced by Keir Starmer last month. The MoD has said the review, which will report in the first half of next year, will "put personnel across defence at the heart of future defence work"; strengthen UK homeland security; aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia; modernise the UK's nuclear deterrent; and adapt military services and equipment programmes to meet requirements.
Lovegrove was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to national security.
Announcing the appointment, defence secretary John Healey said: "As tensions increase, and conflicts continue around the globe, our partnerships with our allies are critically important.
"AUKUS is a pioneering partnership that will not only bolster our defence and security but can drive jobs and economic growth in communities across the UK.
"Sir Stephen’s advice on AUKUS carries the strength of his widely respected national security experience. I am very grateful to him for taking on this role to help maximise the benefits of AUKUS."
Lovegrove said: "AUKUS is the most significant global security partnership the UK has joined in decades. With work that is hugely complex and spanning many years it’s entirely right that an assessment is taken of the UK’s progress to date and the opportunities that lie ahead.
"I look forward to starting work immediately to help maximise the potential of this crucial programme."