Ministry Of Defence
Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America recently held meetings of the AUKUS Joint Steering Groups, which were established as part of the governance structure of the AUKUS partnership in September 2021.The delegations discussed the intensive work under way and the progress that has been madesince the announcement of AUKUS. Both meetings were held at the Pentagon, with additional sessions at the White House where the delegations met with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
TheJoint Steering Group for Australias Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program metonJuly 25-28, continuing its progress on defining the optimal pathway to provide Australia with conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines at the earliest possible date while ensuring thehighest standards of nuclear stewardship, including the responsible planning, operation, application and management of nuclear material, technology and facilities.
The participants took stock of ongoingprogressto deliver on our leaders commitment to set the highest possible non-proliferation standards, including through continued close consultation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. They welcomedthe publication of the working paper on Cooperation under the AUKUS partnership for the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.Thepaperdetailsour proposal to providecomplete power units to Australia, Australias commitment that it willnot conduct enrichment, reprocessing or fuel fabricationin connection with its nuclear-powered submarine program, and our engagement with the IAEA to find a suitable verification approach. They noted the introductory remarks of the IAEA Director General to the June Board of Governors in which he expressed satisfaction with the engagement and transparency shown by the three countries thus far and noted that he plans to present a report on AUKUS to the September Board.
The Joint Steering Group for Advanced Capabilities met onJuly 28-29, reviewingprogress across critical defense capabilities. The participants decided to bolster combined military capabilities, including by accelerating near-term capabilities in hypersonics and counter-hypersonics, as well as cyber. They alsorecommitted to deepeningcooperation on information-sharing and other previously agreed working groups. As work progresses on these and other critical defense capabilities, we will seek opportunities to