Australia and the United Kingdom have taken a major step in defense cooperation with the signing of the Geelong Treaty, a 50-year bilateral agreement that cements their partnership in building and sustaining the upcoming SSN-AUKUS class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. This treaty symbolizes a strategic evolution within the AUKUS framework, aiming to ensure continuous submarine production and operational collaboration at a time when the future role of the United States in the program remains uncertain.
The Royal Navy is set to acquire up to twelve SSN-AUKUS submarines to phase out its aging Astute-class fleet. The plan involves a steady output of one new submarine approximately every 18 months, beginning deliveries in the late 2030s and extending through the mid-2040s. This sustained production effort underscores the UK’s dedication to preserving undersea dominance and modernizing its naval capabilities.
On the Australian side, the Royal Australian Navy is preparing to build a fleet of no fewer than five SSN-AUKUS submarines at its Osborne Naval Shipyard, with options to increase this fleet to eight vessels. The inaugural Australian-built SSN-AUKUS submarine is forecasted to enter service in the early 2040s, signifying a landmark achievement that will enable Australia to independently support nuclear submarine manufacturing and broaden its maritime defense capabilities.
