Sydney (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK and Australia have formally signed the Aukus treaty to build nuclear-powered submarines, as David Lammy dismissed concerns over the US commitment.
As reported by The Guardian, Australia and Britain have signed a 50-year agreement under the Aukus pact to design and build nuclear-powered submarines.
Geelong treaty between the UK and Australia
Australia and the UK signed the “Geelong Treaty” on Saturday in Geelong. Defence Minister Richard Marles called the agreement a
“significant treaty as has been signed between our two countries since federation.”
The treaty signing came amid uncertainty over the US role in Aukus, as the Trump administration ordered a review to determine whether the pact aligns with its “America First” priorities.
In a joint statement, the UK and Australia said the treaty would support all aspects of building and operating the SSN-Aukus submarines. This includes cooperation on design, operations, repairs, and eventual retirement and safe disposal.
All three Aukus nations will contribute technology to the SSN-Aukus program. The UK will build its submarines in northern England. Australia plans to manufacture and deploy its fleet from a South Australian facility by the 2040s.
The agreement has not yet been made public and is expected to be introduced in parliament next week.
Richard Marles and John Healey’s stance on the UK-Australia submarine treaty
Richard Marles said the treaty defines how British and Australian teams will work together to build the next-generation submarine fleet.
He stated the agreement includes a three-part framework, covering the training of Australian submariners in the UK and the development of vital infrastructure at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, South Australia.
Mr Marles said,
“And finally, what the treaty does is create a seamless defence industrial base between the United Kingdom and Australia. This project is going to see Australian companies supplying to Great Britain for the building of submarines.”
He stated,
“It will see British companies supplying to Australia for the building of our submarines here in Adelaide.”
Mr Marles added, The agreement was
“another demonstration of the fact that Aukus is happening, and it is happening on time, and we are delivering it. It’s a treaty which will last for 50 years. It is a bilateral treaty which sits under the trilateral Aukus framework.”
John Healey said the deal will bring thousands of job opportunities in Britain and Australia.
He added,
“It is a treaty that will fortify the Indo-Pacific. It will strengthen NATO, and we’re the politicians signing it today. But this is a treaty that will define the relationship between our two nations and safeguard the security of our country for our children and our children’s children to come.”
How much will Australia pay for Aukus submarines?
Under the Aukus agreement, Australia will contribute approximately $4.6 billion to help Britain design and build nuclear reactors for the next-generation Aukus submarines.
A similar payment will go to the US, supporting its naval production under Aukus. Australia is expected to acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines by the 2030s.
David Lammy’s views on the UK’s role in Aukus
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Saturday. Responding to a question about declining US commitment to AUKUS, Lammy denied the claim, stating the deal was focused on creating 20,000 jobs and building a long-term bilateral partnership.
He downplayed concerns regarding the Trump-era review of AUKUS, saying it would help surface any outstanding issues. He stressed that both Britain and Australia had already conducted their assessments of the agreement.
Mr Lammy stated,
“All governments do reviews, and should do reviews, particularly when they involve big aspects of procurement and defence.”
He described the current global climate as unstable and tense. He added that investing in defence acts as a deterrent by showing opponents the nation is armed and ready.
David Lammy’s stance on the UK-Australia ties
David Lammy stated,
“The UK-Australia relationship is like no other, and in our increasingly volatile and dangerous world, our anchoring friendship has a real impact in the protection of global peace and prosperity.”
He said,
“Our new bilateral AUKUS treaty is an embodiment of that – safeguarding a free and open Indo Pacific whilst catalysing growth for both our countries.”
Mr Lammy added,
“This is how our government delivers the Plan for Change – protecting our national security and stability whilst generating jobs for Brits.”