MELBOURNE, Australia — Britain and Australia have announced their intention to sign a significant cooperation treaty aimed at developing nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian Navy. This pact is set to be solidified in Sydney during a bilateral meeting, with anticipation surrounding the involvement of the United States in the trilateral defense agreement.
On Friday, Britain’s Defense Secretary John Healey and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with their Australian counterparts, Richard Marles and Penny Wong, to discuss the future of defense collaboration in the region. Marles remarked that the treaty, which extends for 50 years, represents a historic milestone, being one of the most significant agreements between the two nations since Australia’s federation in 1901.
The trilateral alliance, which was first announced in 2021, aims to address the increasing military strength of China in the Asia-Pacific region. Under this cooperation, Australia is expected to acquire at least eight submarines, including up to five second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the U.S. Moreover, both Britain and Australia will collaborate on the construction of new SSN-AUKUS submarines utilizing U.S. nuclear technology.
There are ongoing concerns regarding the U.S. involvement in the AUKUS agreement, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is currently reviewing the pact. Questions have arisen regarding delays in the U.S. submarine-building program, suggesting that Australia may not receive its first Virginia-class submarine by the early 2030s as initially scheduled. Both Marles and Healey refrained from speculating about the potential for proceeding with submarine production should the U.S. withdraw from the agreement.
Healey expressed optimism about the U.S. review, interpreting it as an opportunity for renewed commitment to the AUKUS pact. He asserted that any hypothetical scenarios regarding U.S. withdrawal are not currently part of the discussions, emphasizing the mutual trust and cooperation between Australia and Britain.
This week, the Australian government confirmed the payment of a second $500 million installment to the U.S. as part of the AUKUS deal, having made the initial payment in February. The total cost of the submarines is projected to reach up to $245 billion.
The bilateral discussions occur in the context of a large-scale multinational military exercise, known as Exercise Talisman Sabre, which has involved around 3,000 British military personnel and more than 35,000 troops from 19 countries. The exercise, which first began in 2005, is primarily a biennial collaborative initiative between the U.S. and Australia.
Marles and Healey plan to inspect the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin on Sunday, where it is currently participating in the military drills. Lammy highlighted the significance of the carrier’s arrival, saying it sends a strong message of the U.K.'s commitment to maintaining stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific region.
