The UK has announced a new defence partnership with the US and Australia.

In a live broadcast announcement at Downing Street, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the alliance, known by its acronym Aukus, would make the world safer and generate jobs across the UK.

It's understood to be a move to counter the growing power of China.

Boris Johnson said: "I'm delighted to join President Biden and Prime Minister Morrison to announce that the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States are creating a new trilateral defence partnership, known as Aukus, with the aim of working hand-in-glove to preserve security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

"We are opening a new chapter in our friendship and the first task of this partnership will be to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, emphasising of course that the submarines in question will be powered by nuclear reactors, not armed with nuclear weapons, and our work will be fully in line with our non-proliferation obligations."

Mr Johnson added: "Perhaps most significantly, the UK, Australia and the US will be joined even more closely together, reflecting the measure of trust between us, the depth of our friendship, and the enduring strength of our shared values of freedom and democracy.

"Now the UK will embark on this project alongside our allies, making the world safer and generating jobs across the United Kingdom."