Overview

• The Geelong Treaty, signed on July 26 by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, commits both nations to five decades of bilateral SSN-AUKUS collaboration.
• Under the pact, Australia will build at least eight nuclear-powered attack submarines and the UK plans to produce up to 12 SSN-AUKUS vessels with support from BAE Systems and ASC.
• The agreement leverages the AUKUS Naval Nuclear Propulsion framework to develop joint workforce training, resilient supply chains and rotational deployment of a UK Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling.
• The US Department of Defense review of the AUKUS security partnership, led by Under Secretary Elbridge Colby, was extended in July and is now expected to wrap up in the northern hemisphere autumn.
• Canberra has committed A$368 billion over three decades to the programme and recently paid A$800 million toward US submarine production capacity despite public polls showing 60% of Australians doubt delivery.