London: British industry is calling for a clear and unified show of support for the AUKUS alliance after months of doubts about the critical defence project, warning of skills shortages and spending delays that will slow the delivery of a new submarine fleet.

The warnings come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heads to the United Kingdom this week for talks with his British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer on national security, amid widespread concerns about a Pentagon review that could force changes to the vast project.

Australia has promised to spend almost $5 billion on British industry to develop the nuclear power plants for the new fleet, but is likely to spend more when construction begins on new vessels over the decade ahead.

National security experts have warned about the “exist

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