Australia and the United Kingdom are poised to sign a landmark defence treaty on Friday under the Aukus security pact, formalising their strategic alliance and military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement marks a pivotal step in their joint efforts to counterbalance China’s expanding influence in the region.
Treaty to deepen military ties and technology sharing
The new treaty will cement bilateral commitments made under the Aukus framework, first announced in 2021 with the United States. It will outline joint military exercises, intelligence cooperation, cyber defence integration, and the construction of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, with British and American technical support.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are expected to attend the signing ceremony in Canberra, where they will highlight the agreement’s role in ensuring “a free and open Indo-Pacific” and strengthening democratic partnerships.
Australia to receive nuclear-powered submarines
Central to the Aukus plan is Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines — a move that will significantly enhance its undersea capabilities. Under the so-called “Aukus Pillar One,” Australia will begin hosting US and UK submarines by 2027 before commissioning its own fleet, expected in the 2030s. The UK’s involvement includes transferring reactor technology and hosting Australian naval personnel for training at British facilities.
The treaty also promises closer collaboration on emerging technologies, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and underwater drones, underscoring a broader ambition to align defence innovation with strategic deterrence.
China denounces move as ‘Cold War mentality’
China’s foreign ministry has condemned the Aukus partnership as “an act of geopolitical confrontation,” accusing the three nations of promoting a “Cold War mentality” and destabilising the regional balance. Beijing argues the introduction of nuclear-powered vessels into the region risks triggering an arms race and undermines non-proliferation norms — a claim the Aukus partners strongly deny.
In response, Australian officials have reiterated that the submarines will be nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed, and that the programme adheres fully to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
UK pivots to Indo-Pacific
For the United Kingdom, the treaty represents a further tilt towards the Indo-Pacific as part of its post-Brexit foreign policy. Britain has already deployed naval assets to the region and joined trade and diplomatic initiatives such as the CPTPP and ASEAN partnerships. The Aukus treaty will give the UK a more permanent role in Pacific security dynamics, reinforcing its strategic presence far beyond European shores.
Defence analysts note the treaty could pave the way for similar arrangements with other regional powers, particularly Japan and South Korea, as the Aukus framework evolves into a broader security architecture.
Risks and questions remain
While the Aukus treaty has strong bipartisan support in both Canberra and London, critics have raised concerns over costs, timelines, and risks of entanglement in future military conflicts. Australia’s long-term reliance on foreign submarine technology could limit its strategic autonomy, while UK defence spending will face added pressure amid domestic fiscal constraints.
Nonetheless, officials on both sides insist the treaty reflects shared values and mutual interests in upholding international law and regional stability in an era of growing uncertainty.
REFH – Newshub, 25 July 2025
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