It was an eventful Monday in Australia, as the country announced one of the largest developments in its defense strategy—a milestone in the AUKUS partnership. The newly signed agreement will facilitate the transfer of submarine-specific technology and equipment from the UK and the US in order to assist Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine program.
The move is part of the September 2021 security alliance, AUKUS, which was motivated by Chinese growing influence in the region and much more assertive actions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and US President Joe Biden unveiled a roadmap on 13 March 2023 for Australia to obtain a conventionally armed nuclear power submarine capability under the help of AUKUS.
According to the Australian Defence Ministry, this latest agreement would be important to the aim of Australia to build a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine fleet by the 2030s. It would involve the transfer of Virginia-class submarines from the US and equipment from the UK for the SSN-AUKUS submarines being developed in Australia.
According to Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, the agreement was an immense stride toward Australia's ambition to build its naval capability; it did not stand alone. It was taken after the United States had passed its National Defense Authorization Act, after the identification of Australia's submarine construction and maintenance partners, and after work was underway to strengthen the industrial bases of all three AUKUS nations.
The agreement also paves the way for the establishment of the Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling, starting in 2027. It will be home to up to four Virginia-class submarines from the US and one Astute-class submarine from the UK.
The future SSN-AUKUS submarines would be constructed at Osborne in South Australia and have sealed, welded power units that never need refueling in their operational life. The deal will supersede the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement, which came into force in 2022.
Marles emphasized the Albanese government's commitment to national security as distinguished from any past record, reaffirming that under the AUKUS framework, Australia's pursuit of conventionally-armed and nuclear-powered submarines carries along with it the highest standards of nonproliferation. He said Australia would not try to develop nuclear weapons, for it is a state that does not have nuclear weapons, nor does it intend to be one.
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