Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed strong confidence in the continuation of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement after a recent meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. The AUKUS pact, established in 2021, involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and co-developing the AUKUS-class submarine with the UK. The initiative is strategically aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Despite a formal review of the agreement by the U.S. administration, Albanese emphasized that his interactions with U.S. officials have been supportive. He stated that all discussions with members of the U.S. administration regarding AUKUS have been positive. The agreement, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, includes the sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia.
In July 2025, Australia and the UK signed a 50-year treaty, known as the Geelong Treaty, to strengthen collaboration under the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership. The treaty ensures cooperation in the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and disposal of SSN-AUKUS submarines, building on the trilateral AUKUS alliance with the United States. Australia has pledged A$368 billion over 30 years to support the initiative.
Prime Minister Albanese is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald J. Trump in Washington on October 20, marking their first summit since Trump’s reelection. Discussions are expected to focus on the AUKUS security pact and the provision of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia amid regional tensions with China. The deal is currently under review by the Pentagon, led by Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby.
Albanese’s meeting with Prime Minister Starmer further reinforced the UK’s commitment to the AUKUS pact. Starmer affirmed that both the UK and the U.S. remain dedicated to the trilateral agreement with Australia. This alignment highlights the strategic importance of the AUKUS partnership in enhancing regional security and countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.