Australia signs deal with US, UK to exchange nuclear secrets under AUKUS
The agreement, outlines security measures for the transfer of sensitive nuclear material and knowledge.
AUKUS, which envisages building an Australian nuclear-powered submarine fleet and jointly developing advanced warfighting capabilities, is a strategic answer to Chinese military ambitions in the Pacific region. / Photo: Reuters Archive
Australia stated it had signed a deal to allow the exchange of nuclear secrets and material with the United States and Britain, a key step toward equipping its navy with nuclear-powered submarines.
It binds the three countries to security arrangements for transferring sensitive US and UK nuclear material and know-how as part of the tripartite 2021 AUKUS security accord.
AUKUS, which envisages building an Australian nuclear-powered submarine fleet and jointly developing advanced warfighting capabilities, is a strategic answer to Chinese military ambitions in the Pacific region.
"This agreement is an important step towards Australia's acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy," said Richard Marles, Australia's defence minister and deputy prime minister.
Australia's acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet would set the "highest non-proliferation standards", he said, stressing that the country did not seek nuclear weapons.
This week Australia, the US and the UK reached another significant milestone, with the signing of a foundational agreement to enable further cooperation under AUKUS.
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) August 9, 2024
This agreement underpins and is consistent with the AUKUS pathway announced in March 2023.
🇦🇺🇺🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/D1Xnnh5ou1
Strategic importance of submarines
The latest deal -- signed in Washington last week and tabled in the Australian parliament -- includes a provision for Australia to indemnify its partners against any liability for nuclear risks from material sent to the country.
Nuclear material for the future submarines' propulsion would be transferred from the United States or Britain in "complete, welded power units", it says.
However, Australia would be responsible for storing and disposing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste from the nuclear power units that are transferred under the deal.
"Submarines are an essential part of Australia's naval capability, providing a strategic advantage in terms of surveillance and protection of our maritime approaches," the transfer deal says.
China's foreign minister Wang Yi warned in a visit to Australia in April that AUKUS raised "serious nuclear proliferation risks", claiming it ran counter to a South Pacific treaty banning nuclear weapons in the region.
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