Australia on Monday (22 November) formally signed the so-called AUKUS agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom to equip its navy with nuclear-powered submarines. Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton joined US and British diplomats in signing an agreement allowing the exchange of sensitive “naval nuclear propulsion information” among the nations. It is the first agreement on the technology to be publicly signed since the three countries announced in September the formation of the AUKUS defence alliance to confront strategic tensions in the Pacific.
In a statement issued after the signing, Dutton said “the signing of the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement with our AUKUS partners…is another important step in Australia’s pursuit of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines”. Dutton said the agreement will advance consultations by permitting the United Kingdom and the United States to exchange sensitive and classified naval nuclear propulsion information with a third country for the first time.
“This agreement will support Australia in completing the 18 months of intensive and comprehensive examination of the requirements underpinning the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines,” Dutton said. “The United Kingdom and the United States will be able to share naval nuclear propulsion information with Australia, which they cannot with any other country, in the determination of the optimal pathway to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for operation by the Royal Australian Navy. With access to the information this Agreement delivers, coupled with the decades of naval nuclear-powered experience our UK and US partners have, Australia will also be positioned to be responsible and reliable stewards of this technology.”
The agreement will also provide a mechanism for Australian personnel to access training and education from their UK and US counterparts, necessary for learning how to safely and effectively build, operate and support nuclear-powered submarines. The agreement is consistent with Australia’s international obligations, including under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Dutton also highlighted the importance of the agreement for Australia’s regulatory framework. “This agreement will assist Australia to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to create a world-class regulatory and safety regime required for the safe operation of naval nuclear propulsion,” Dutton said.
The agreement was also tabled in the Australian Parliament for consideration by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties. The agreement is also subject to the domestic processes of the United States and the United Kingdom.
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This is but a necessary baby step. One hopes the Australian government can keep loud mouthing by ministers to a minimum and get on with the arduous task of building up a fast attack sub fleet as quickly as possible.
tons of work to be done, from detailed bathymetry of the north pacific and western indian ocean to understand how chinese subs and UUVs are likely to plot a course around Australian waters to laying down detailed procedures on how the Triton UAVs, P-8, MH-60, SSNs, UUVs etc are going to be employed effectively in anticipation of a chinese ‘provocation’ which is very likely within the next decade or so….