The Department agrees that the UK derives great value from the US relationship. Our research, technology and industrial collaboration with the US is critical for ensuring our Armed Forces can field the capabilities we need to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. This cooperation also ensures our militaries can train, exercise, operate and fight together on operations around the world. In particular our relationship with the US is critical for our nuclear programme and maintaining our deterrent, as the ultimate backstop to our national security and the security of our NATO allies. The AUKUS agreement also provides another platform for deepening our collaboration with the US and Australia on emerging technology and capability development.