Australia and the United Kingdom have signed the landmark Geelong Treaty, a 50-year defense pact focused on the joint development, operation, and lifecycle sustainment of the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
This agreement cements bilateral submarine cooperation amid concerns over the U.S. role in the AUKUS alliance.
The UK plans to replace its Astute-class fleet with up to 12 SSN-AUKUS subs, aiming for a new submarine every 18 months from the late 2030s.
Meanwhile, Australia will produce at least five submarines — potentially eight — at its Osborne Naval Shipyard, with the first vessel expected in service by the early 2040s.
