Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have together 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.
The Agreement Among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion has been tabled in the Australian Parliament today.
The agreement will enable the UK and the US to transfer submarine-specific material and equipment for Australia's future nuclear‑powered submarines.
It will also 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.
It will also enable Australia 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.
Consistent with the commitment of AUKUS partners, the agreement will see Australia uphold the highest standards for safety, security and non-proliferation.
Future SSN-AUKUS submarines will be built at Osborne in South Australia, using sealed, welded power units that will not require refuelling 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.
Importantly, the agreement re-affirms, and is consistent with Australia's international non-proliferation obligations, including under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty and our safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
As a responsible nuclear steward, Australia will manage all waste generated by its own Virginia class and SSN-AUKUS submarines. Australia will not process spent nuclear fuel or reactors from the US, UK or other countries.
The agreement will replace the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement, which entered into force in 2022.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:
"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.
"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."
