Australia Agrees to Take in Nuclear Waste from US and UK in Exchange for Nuclear Submarines
An amendment to the AUKUS agreement solidifies Australia’s role in accepting nuclear waste from the US and the UK.
The AUKUS agreement has been updated to specify that Australia will handle nuclear waste from the U.S. and the UK in exchange for help in acquiring nuclear submarines.
This amendment also enhances collaboration among the AUKUS allies to cover physical aspects of submarine development beyond just information sharing.
The revised agreement was finalized after an Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation (AUSMIN) meeting in the U.S.
On August 7, U.S. President Joe Biden submitted a letter to Congress outlining the agreement update among Australia, the U.S., the UK, and Northern Ireland.
Initially introduced in 2021, the AUKUS agreement is a three-way security partnership aimed at strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific through sharing naval nuclear propulsion information.
The recent modifications, announced after discussions between key allied leaders, expand the agreement to involve the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion plants for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, along with components, spare parts, and related equipment.
“The agreement also permits the sale of special nuclear material included in complete, welded power units, and other necessary material for such naval nuclear propulsion plants,” stated Biden in his letter detailing the amendments.
The agreement ensures safeguarding U.S. information by restricting sensitive information from being shared externally by the alliance parties without U.S. authorization.
The original AUKUS pact, signed in March 2023, only allowed for information exchange regarding nuclear propulsion.
A key aspect of the agreement, scheduled until the conclusion of 2025, includes assistance from the U.S. and the UK in aiding Australia in securing nuclear submarines.
Nuclear submarines are considered crucial defense assets due to their ability to operate for extended periods without refueling, their speed and extended range, longer underwater endurance, and reduced resurfacing requirements.
Australia is poised to receive three Virginia-class vessels from the U.S. before locally manufactured vessels become operational. The plan totaling $368 billion aims for eight nuclear submarines to be operational by the 2050s.
Australia will also have the necessary nuclear reactors to operate the submarines.
Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles touched on the updates to the foundational document.
“It solidifies the legal basis of our agreements with the US and UK under the AUKUS banner,” he stated on ABC Radio.
Marles clarified that Australia will not accept nuclear waste from any other country and will not be able to dispose of other nuclear materials until the 2050s.
“Under no circumstances will we handle waste from other nations,” he emphasized.
“We will handle our own nuclear waste, including the disposal of spent nuclear reactors, which is presently under consideration.”
