AUKUS partners strengthen ties with another agreement

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have reached another significant AUKUS milestone, with the signing of an agreement to enable cooperation that is essential to Australia’s capacity to safely build, operate and maintain a conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.

As informed, the agreement on the submarine program has been tabled in the Australian Parliament today (August 12, 2024).

The deal is expected to enable the UK and the US to transfer submarine-specific material and equipment for Australia’s future nuclear‑powered submarines.

Furthermore, it will allow the continued communication and exchange of information related to nuclear-powered submarines among AUKUS partners.

The agreement will be central to Australia’s acquisition of a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability from the 2030s, with the transfer of Virginia class submarines from the US to Australia, and the transfer of equipment from the UK for use in Australia’s SSN‑AUKUS submarines, according to the government officials.

Furthermore, Australia’s officials noted that this agreement will enable the country to prepare for Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling from 2027, supporting the rotational presence of up to four Virginia class submarines from the US and one Astute class submarine from the UK.

Future SSN-AUKUS submarines will be built at Osborne in South Australia, using sealed, welded power units that will not require refueling over the life cycle of the submarine.

“Australia is committed to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. The agreement expressly rules out enriching uranium or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in Australia as part of AUKUS and prevents AUKUS partners undertaking any activity that would contravene international non-proliferation obligations,” Australian officials noted.

“This agreement is an important step towards Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. It builds on the significant progress that has already been achieved, including the passing of the US National Defense Authorization Act, the announcement of Australia’s sovereign submarine build and sustainment partners, and the ongoing work to integrate and uplift the industrial bases of all three AUKUS partners,” Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, said.

“The Albanese Government, alongside AUKUS partners, continues to re-affirm that Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines will set the highest non-proliferation standards through the AUKUS partnership. The agreement is unequivocal that, as a non-nuclear weapons state, Australia does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons.”

The Australian Government has selected BAE Systems and ASC to build Australia’s new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS program.