The governments of Australia and the United Kingdom have formalized their commitment to a long-term defense partnership by signing the landmark Geelong Treaty, a 50-year agreement focused on the construction, operation, and sustainment of the next-generation SSN-AUKUS class nuclear-powered attack submarines. This treaty represents a pivotal development in the AUKUS alliance, securing bilateral submarine development amid uncertainties surrounding ongoing U.S. involvement in the program. It establishes a solid foundation for sovereign submarine production capabilities in both nations.
Under this agreement, the British Royal Navy aims to procure up to twelve SSN-AUKUS submarines as replacements for its existing Astute-class fleet. The UK intends to maintain a production tempo of one submarine every 18 months, with deliveries expected to begin in the late 2030s and continue into the mid-2040s. This ambitious build schedule reflects the UK’s strategic priority to maintain a cutting-edge and ready underwater force.
Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Navy plans to develop a fleet of at least five SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered attack submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, with prospects to expand this number to eight. Australia’s first domestically constructed SSN-AUKUS submarine is projected to enter active service in the early 2040s, marking a historic milestone in its defense industry and establishing sovereign capability in nuclear submarine production for the first time.
