Australia to Accept US, UK Nuclear Waste in Exchange for Nuclear Subs

The AUKUS partnership, originally focused on defense and nuclear, now includes a unique dimension. An amendment to the agreement confirms that Australia will accept nuclear waste from the U.S. and the UK in exchange for assistance in acquiring nuclear submarines. This update expands cooperation among the AUKUS allies to encompass physical aspects of submarine development, going beyond mere information sharing. The revised agreement was finalized after an Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation (AUSMIN) meeting in the U.S. President Joe Biden’s letter to Congress on Aug. 7 detailed the agreement update between Australia, the U.S., the UK, and Northern Ireland. The AUKUS agreement, established in 2021, aims to enhance deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific through the sharing of naval nuclear propulsion technology. The recent amendments broaden the agreement to include the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion plants for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, along with associated components, spare parts, and equipment. The agreement ensures the protection of U.S. information and prohibits the disclosure of sensitive information outside the alliance without U.S. consent. Australia is on track to receive three U.S.-made Virginia-class vessels before transitioning to domestically produced submarines. The goal is to have eight nuclear submarines operational by the 2050s as part of the $368 billion plan. Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, emphasized that the agreement aligns with international non-proliferation obligations. He clarified that Australia will only manage its own nuclear waste and will not accept waste from other countries until the 2050s.

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