Australia makes $500 million AUKUS payment ahead of US defence secretary meeting

FILE PHOTO: Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles listens during the AUKUS Defence Ministers Meeting at Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia has made its first $500 million payment to the United States under the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal ahead of a meeting between their defence heads on Friday in Washington.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the gesture showed Canberra is paying its way as a security partner.