The United Kingdom and Australia have signed an unprecedented treaty to strengthen collaboration on nuclear-powered submarines for the next 50 years.
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The agreement, called the Geelong Treaty, was formalized on July 26, 2025, in the Australian city of Geelong by the defense ministers of both countries. It lays the foundation for long-term cooperation within the framework of the AUKUS alliance, a trilateral pact that also includes the United States.
The treaty provides for full collaboration in the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of SSN-AUKUS submarines, and also promotes the development of workforce, infrastructure, and industrial capacity. It will also allow Astute-class British submarines to rotate and visit Australian ports, strengthening joint naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the governments involved, the agreement complies with international nuclear non-proliferation norms and is expected to contribute to global security, especially in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
The initiative also aims to boost the economy, create thousands of skilled jobs, and open new opportunities for the defense industries of both countries.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @RoyalNavy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
This afternoon I met with the UK Secretary of State for Defence @JohnHealey_MP to sign The Geelong Treaty – a historic agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom that will enable us to collaborate closely to deliver AUKUS over the next fifty years.
Our close friendship… pic.twitter.com/rHLlTuzCt1— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) July 26, 2025
