Australia and UK seal Geelong Treaty to anchor AUKUS nuclear submarine pact

Australia and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark 50-year treaty to cement their partnership under the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme.

The agreement, known as the Geelong Treaty, was signed in the Australian city of Geelong and is set to reshape the countries’ long-term maritime defence strategy.

The treaty underpins joint efforts to develop and operate a new class of nuclear-powered submarines. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles called it one of the most significant agreements between the two nations since Federation. Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey said it would build the most advanced attack submarines either country has ever had, strengthen NATO and bolster security in the Indo-Pacific.

The AUKUS pact, first announced in 2021, also involves the United States. Its goal is to enhance security in the Indo-Pacific, widely seen as a response to China’s growing influence. The project remains under review after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an assessment to ensure it aligns with his “America First” agenda, though bipartisan support in Washington continues.

Australia has reaffirmed its commitment with a further $525 million payment to the U.S., while the UK is expanding its submarine industry to meet AUKUS goals. The Geelong Treaty marks a decisive step forward despite ongoing debates over the pact’s future.

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