A trilateral capability partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States

AUKUS partners have committed to bolstering collective efforts to deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific through enhanced capability cooperation. The first pillar of AUKUS effort is to identify an optimal pathway to deliver a nuclear-powered submarine capability to Australia. The second pillar of AUKUS is focused on advanced capabilities – enhancing the three nations’ technological edge by pooling trilateral resources, with key areas of focus including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cyber technology, undersea capabilities, hypersonics, counter-hypersonics, electronic warfare, and information-sharing.

"AUKUS will deliver nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, and it will guide accelerated development of advanced defence capabilities where they have most impact – such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence, undersea warfare, hypersonics, and counter-hypersonics.” The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Defence, Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs, and Assistant Minister for the Republic

Nuclear-powered submarines

Royal Navy and United States Navy nuclear-powered submarines conducted port visits to Perth in October 2021 and April 2022 respectively, demonstrating the strong naval partnerships between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. On top of naval visits, the signing of the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement with our AUKUS partners was another key step in Australia’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines. The agreement means that the United Kingdom and the United States are able to share information with Australia, helping advance Australia’s nuclear submarines program, and ensuring Australian can continue to be a reliable and capable partner.