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US President Joe Biden has thrown new support behind the plan to transfer naval nuclear propulsion plants of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
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In a letter, published on 7 August, to the US Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, President Biden approved the agreement for cooperation related to naval nuclear propulsion involving the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Under the agreement, sale is approved of special nuclear material contained in complete, welded power units and other material as needed for such naval nuclear propulsion plants, and it also enables equipment to be transferred for the research, development or design of naval nuclear propulsion plants.
“I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to section 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(d)) (the “Act”), the text of the agreement among the government of the United States of America, the government of Australia, and the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the “United Kingdom”) for cooperation related to naval nuclear propulsion (the “Agreement”),” the letter detailed.
“The agreement, which would supersede the exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information, would permit the continued communication and exchange of NNPI, including certain RD, and would also expand on the cooperation between the governments by enabling the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion plants of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, including component parts and spare parts thereof, and other related equipment.
“The agreement also enables the sale of special nuclear material contained in complete, welded power units, and other material as needed for such naval nuclear propulsion plants. Equipment transferred in accordance with the agreement could include equipment needed for the research, development, or design of naval nuclear propulsion plants, including their manufacture, operation, maintenance, regulation, and disposal, and could also include training, services, and program support associated with such equipment.”
The communiqué also encouraged and promoted AUKUS in keeping the highest non-proliferation standard, as well as protecting controlled and classified United States information.
“I have determined that Australia and the United Kingdom, by participating with the United States pursuant to international arrangements, are making substantial and material contributions to our mutual defence and security. Australia is party to the Australia, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS), and the United Kingdom is party to the North Atlantic Treaty and participates in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Australia and the United Kingdom continue to be committed to the mutual defence and security provided through ANZUS and NATO, respectively,” US President Biden said.
“I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested departments and agencies and have determined that the performance of the agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defence and security. Further, I have approved the program outlined in the agreement and have determined that such program will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defence and security. Accordingly, I have approved the agreement, authorised its execution, and urge that the Congress give it favourable consideration.”
