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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 February 2026. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 March 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


AUKUS: Nuclear Submarines

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty regarding the a) design, b) build, c) operation, d) sustainment and e) disposal of SSN-AUKUS submarines.

Answer

The Government is fully committed to AUKUS. The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty is a key part of this partnership and will enable comprehensive cooperation between the UK and Australia on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines. This includes port visits, and notably HMS ANSON has recently arrived in Perth, Australia – a major milestone that will see Australian personnel conducting maintenance on the Astute Class submarine.

The text of the treaty can be found here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b1814ecc8356c3c882a8dc/CS_Australia_2.2025_Nuclear_Powered_Submarine_Partnership_Agreement.pdf


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
115619
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Decommissioning Nuclear submarines Shipbuilding AUKUS
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk