Great Britain | Congratulating Australia

[Jamie]

"We will be sure to share any new information that comes to light regarding this new Iranian Terrorist Group. We're rather in the dark at the moment so we're aiming to establish more information in time to come." he paused, "I'd be happy to discuss the possibility of further agreement in regards to Intelligence Sharing, whilst we're happy to do this on an unofficial channel and provide you with information as and when, unless you'd prefer a more formal, written agreement?" spoke the British Delegate, awaiting a response.

 

[Owen]

"We can organise this more formal agreement to be signed when the official meeting takes place later on. Of course until such time as that happens we would appreciate it if you could direct information regarding the Al-Mutahida to the Australian High Commission in London, they will pass it onto the relevant authorities. We could always of course, and if this line is secure, plan clandestine operations into Iran in order to retrieve relevant information about this group. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I do have command over the Australian Secret Intelligence Service as it falls under my portfolio."

 

[Jamie]

"Definitely, I look forward to possible future discussions as to any formal agreements, and the like. We will be sure to share any information that may be relevant surrounding the Al-Mutahida group. As for line security.. our line is clean from our end." he'd pause, knowing the privacy and encryption on his line was just. "Britain is already contemplating operations in Iran to establish more on this Al-Mutahida group, but that may only follow if talks with the Iranian Regime are not considered... um.... useful." (Grant is on LOA) so we may yet be in operations sooner rather than later, but at the moment, time will tell."

 

[Owen]

"Well we are more than willing and capable to participate in clandestine operations if they are found to be not useful. Note that our law prohibits us from participating in paramilitary operations but we are allowed to participate in the planing of them with other partners such as MI6.....

Anyway we would like to discuss defence procurement. Specifically replacing out ageing F/A-18 Classic Hornets with the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. The air combat capabilities of our air force are in a pretty dire state as the hornet doesn't quite meet the modern day standards and we really need to move onto the fifth generation fighter. We would like to purchase up to 100."

 

[Jamie]

"Unfortunately at this moment, the F-35A is not for export. Although, between you and I.... there are discussions in place about exporting the F-35A so if you're happy to bear with me, there is consultation with our Government regarding exporting the aircraft. I am unsure as to what restrictions that entails, so we may be able to arrange a full package. As you know, Britain is the main manufacturer of the F-35 series, with Britain and America as the only operators. So the plans to expand this may be well in your grasp sooner rather than later."

 

[Owen]

"Well, we hope these discussions don't take too long. Not to discredit the F/A-18, but they are getting ridiculously expensive to operate as parts for them are becoming scarce and they begin presenting an array of issues due to age. The F-35 is the only fifth generation fighter which would see as available, so if Australia's air combat capabilities are to meet standards of the 21st century, we would require it. We don't see us ever purchasing the F-22 due to U.S. export controls on it and it is very expensive and have capabilities beyond what we require. We would never purchase the Chinese or Russian variants either. Which is a good point which I think needs to be made. Not to discredit your export program, but countries which would could consider threats, such as those in South America and across Asia and Africa have been flooded with equipment from these major powers and as a result they have substantially better capabilities. We are a Western country, we're a democracy and we would always support the United Kingdom and the United States as historical allies. If we are going to survive, especially given our positioning in Asia, we need our capabilities to be edged out to match those of countries such as China and Vietnam, who already have fifth generation fighter capabilities. Don't take that as a criticism of your policies, just a mere observation of the reality of the threats we face as western-aligned countries."

 

[Jamie]

The British Delegate went silent as the Australian spoken, silently nodding to acknowledge what was said. "I do understand your concerns. As you undoubtedly know yourself, export controls, whilst frustrating, are the only thing that allows our countries to have one foot ahead of others. Whilst there are countries happily giving away fifth generation fighters, the countries they are sold to are unstable, and unreliable.. and worst of all, unpredictable. The British Government, hand in hand with the United States ensures that any sales are unable to backfire; under any circumstance. Britain acquired all rights to the F-35 Product, all variations, and are contemplating the exporting of F-35 Products to ISAF and close friends of the United Kingdom. This vetting process is somewhat thorough, it will likely commence at an ISAF-level procurement. As only Britain and the US operates the aircraft, it'll likely be done under negotiation, evaluation offered to countries interested, training. The F-35, regardless of variant is costly and has a tonne of new technology that requires specialist care and knowledge.

Admittingly, we have only one concern surrounding Australian Purchase and that is the stability of the government. Whilst we're happy to work with your government, over the past few years, Australia has seen repeated government collapses and new characters enter the spotlight on Politics. What reassurance can you offer in regards to your governments long-term place in your country?"

 

[Owen]

"Well, I can't make guarantees about certain Government's being in for a long-term, as you know we are a thriving democracy and we do have general elections every 3 years and as you know under the Westminster system the party with the most seats in Parliament forms government and while people, certainly in Australia, have had problems with party's changing leadership midway through a term, that's how the Westminster system works and they know they vote for a party, they do not vote for a leader. I can ensure you that the Labor Party intends to stay in Government until the next election in 2015, we have a clear majority in the Parliament which mandates that. The Labor Party is split into Right and Left factions, but at this point in time I can ensure there are no internal rumblings in the Labor Party to change the leader and Kevin Rudd is a leader who is able to reach that middle ground between the two factions. But as you know, regardless of which party is in power, whichever faction, whether it be the Labor Party or the Liberal Party, both major parties have clear objectives when it comes to foreign affairs and defence. We are almost completely bipartisan on our approach with relations towards to the United States and the United Kingdom and the Australian Defence Force. Which, while under the command of the civilian government, operates fairly independently and they are able to keep their aircraft operating to standards and continuing maintaining their job of defending Australia, in a non-partisan way, REGARDLESS of any elections, leadership spills or changes in Government. We don't expect any radical minor party to gain power any time soon, especially the Australian Greens, who take a more harsher approach towards the 'west', if you like, and obviously are major advocates for drastically reducing defence spending and I'm sure if they got their way they would probably sell the F-35s back to you, which we would see as completely foolish and we don't want to have to see that mob running the place and destroying our national security and our primary foreign relations.

As for specialist care, knowledge, evaluation and training, the Royal Australian Air Force is one of the most highly trained, highly organised and highly skilled Air Force in the world and I have no doubt in my minds that they would be able to operate, maintain and train in this birds to the best of their ability. Obviously we would like some sort of initial training to be conducted with the Royal Air Force where we would probably send our pilots over to the United Kingdom to train with your pilots on the operation of the F-35. We're currently only looking for the A variant so we're able to equip 4 land-based Air Force squadrons, not looking at purchasing a STOL or VTOL version for the Navy and we have no future plans to, we wish to continue operating the Super Hornet and Growlers on our planned future Aircraft Carrier."

 

[Jamie]

"The curse of a democracy, am I right?" he softly chuckled, clearing his throat. "Nonetheless, I will consult with our Defence Export teams into the potential sale to Australia and I can work on getting you a response relatively soon. To further confirm, you're seeking 100 units of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter. This ought to include training in the UK. Please note that any sale regarding the F-35 series will also not include the Source Code, which means any software upgrades will be done by the UK only, which, by default, covers any changes to Weapon Integration (so weapons not default able to be fitted). It's a security addition, although given the relationship between the UK and Australia, I do not expect that to be a problem? As it's mostly just software management such as the weapon integration, radar and flight dynamics. You will be given access codes freely without an issue to the aircraft. It would only ever be disengaged if war occurred between us."

 

[Owen]

The Foreign Minister, who wasn't really an expert on military stuff would hesistantly reply. "Ah yes, that should be fine. The weapons we mainly use are U.S. weaponry so I'm assuming the F-35A is already integrated to carry most U.S. weaponry. It shouldn't be a problem, though if there was a problem that required a closer look at the aircraft, it would be better if British experts came here rather than trying to fly 100 F-35's to the UK to get fixed. Nevertheless as apart of the training we expect training to be delivered to aircraft maintenance crews along with the pilots."

 

[Jamie]

"Correct, the default software accommodates US Weaponry, which I'm aware is widely used by your own forces anyway. So there won't be any problem with weapon integration, and we would be happy to adjust the software to accommodate any changes you'd like. We would ensure a safe constant supply of Access codes for the basic operations of the software, and a constant route of spare parts to cover maintenance. Training will cover both Maintenance Crews and Pilots."

 

[Owen]

"I've been informed by the Air Force that yes the bulk of the weaponry they use is from the U.S., but also some UK weapons such as the ASRAAM, but they do use one weapon which isn't from the US or UK and that's the Joint Strike Missile from Norway. Hopefully we can have that accepted into the software upon receiving them so we don't have issues regarding that."

 

[Jamie]

"It shouldn't be a problem, there's no issues with us working with you to handle software, it's just that access to the software itself is limited. So we're happy to work with countries to accomodate for their own needs. I am aware there is a discussion that is happening in a few days time regarding the status of the F35 and whether exports are something that would be accomodated. I should have an update for you within days. In the meantime, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"

@Owen

 

[Owen]

"Well would like to discuss our trade prospects and the possibility of having a Free Trade Agreement between our two countries. Essentially we're trying to get our relations back up to the level that they were at before previous government's neglected it and basically made the UK not care about us anymore."

 

[Jamie]

"We're happy to discuss trade, although you had advised earlier on this call that Trade wasn't something that we should discuss with yourself?" asked the British delegate, slightly confused given they had attempted to discuss trade first. "But, I disagree, the British Government have always held the relationship with Australia close to heart, but as you can understand, stability effected our ability to keep continuous cooperation and involvement going; having to repeat the same processes for each new government that entered office. With Trade, the ISAF is currently working out parameters for a security operation of trade routes so we won't have any distress there when it comes to any trade that occurs between Australia and Britain, is there anything specific you're looking into importing, or even exporting?"

 

[Owen]

"Well we do export, I guess you could say, more primary industry commodities, such as Iron Ore, Coal, Natural Gas, Wheat and Beef, whereas we're assuming the UK export's are mainly secondary industry."

 

[Jamie]

"Well, our main exports consist of:

1. Cars
2. Crude Petroleum
3. Organic Chemicals
4. Mechanical Machinery
5. Electrical Machinery

Ideally we're interested in importing Iron Ore and Coal, which is something you'd be able to help with. Is there anything you'd seek that you'd look to import from ourselves that could secure us a potential trade route?"

 

[Owen]

"Well we're still very much trying to protect our local car industry at the moment from going under... Holden and Ford Australia are suffering badly at the moment so we don't particularly want foreign cars flooding the market right now. But the other 4 should come in handy, the Machinery is very much needed by the mining industry who in turn will export their goods to the UK."

 

[Jamie]

"I see, well, if it works for you, I'd like to propose:

From Australia to the UK
Iron Ore and Coal on a monthly basis.

In return, two separate routes from the UK to Australia
One containing Crude Petroleum and Organic Chemicals, monthly.
And a second one, contacting the Mechanical and Electrical Machinery, again, a month period."

 

[Owen]

"That does sound reasonable. We have no ships at the moment, still uhhh... sorting that out. But once we do have the necessary ships we will begin this trade route. We should get a Free Trade Agreement sorted so we can remove tariff barriers on this trade and further our overall economic relationship which we see as vital between the UK and Australia. We are also open to the idea of abolishing the eVisitor system, as apart of this FTA, for UK Passports with 'British citizen' as nationality and rather just have a visa on arrival for 3 months and it will save tourists a lot of trouble."