Aukus Alliance | Australia deepens defense alliance with Great Britain

Australia and Great Britain want to move closer together – in terms of security policy, economics, and geopolitically. With a new 50-year defense treaty, both countries are deepening their cooperation within the AUKUS alliance. The agreement comes at a time of growing uncertainty: The United States – the third pillar of the trilateral pact – is openly questioning its role.

"This historic treaty reaffirms our Aukus commitment for the next half century," said British Defense Secretary John Healey, who was visiting Sydney on Friday. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, along with her cabinet colleague Richard Marles, spoke of "shaping the world together for the better." With the bilateral treaty, both countries are protecting themselves – politically and economically. Since Donald Trump took office, Washington has been increasingly critical.

Aukus under scrutiny

The original goal of Aukus was to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific – among other things, by building an Australian fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. But the timeline is faltering: Delivery of the first US submarines is not scheduled until 2032 at the earliest. Production in the US is lagging behind, its own fleet capacity is limited, and shipyards are overburdened. According to the treaty, submarines may only be exported if the incumbent US president guarantees that the US Navy's operational readiness will not be compromised.

This is precisely what is causing criticism in Washington: Trump ordered a comprehensive review of the agreement in June – led by Elbridge Colby, a prominent Aukus skeptic. At the same time, there are growing voices demanding more from Australia than just money. Conservative circles are calling for support in the event of a military conflict over Taiwan. Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, for example, is pushing for Australia to increase its military spending to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product – it currently stands at two percent.

The government in Canberra is trying to hedge its bets with payments: In the second quarter of 2025, Canberra paid an additional 800 million Australian dollars, equivalent to almost 450 million euros, to the US to promote shipbuilding there. The total is expected to be around 4.6 billion dollars (almost 2.6 billion euros) – a strategic down payment on its own security. Similar amounts are also flowing to Great Britain.

Beef and rare earths

At the same time, Australia is emphasizing its geopolitical importance as a supplier of raw materials. The country possesses large deposits of so-called rare earths – critical minerals that are essential for modern technologies such as smartphones, electric cars, wind turbines, and weapons systems. Approximately 420 kilograms of these materials are needed for one F-35 fighter jet. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has initiated a national raw materials reserve and allocated almost €700 million for the development of previously unused deposits. Canberra aims to position itself as a reliable supplier to Western partners – while simultaneously building strategic bargaining power.

Australia is also trying to defuse tensions with the US economically: This week, the government partially lifted long-standing import restrictions on US beef – a step that could prompt Washington to withdraw recently imposed punitive tariffs.

Strategic hub

Australia is also underscoring its importance in the region militarily: The large-scale exercise Talisman Sabre has been taking place in the north of the country since mid-July. Over 30,000 troops from 19 countries are participating in the maneuver, including Australia, the United States, Great Britain, Japan, France, and Germany. The exercise is considered one of the most important in the Indo-Pacific and serves to coordinate joint operational capabilities. Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, Talisman Sabre underscores Australia's strategic importance as a security hub.

The new agreement with Great Britain is more than just a bilateral treaty – it is a geopolitical reassurance. Should Washington, under Trump, fail to keep its commitments in the Aukus program or even withdraw, Australia will rely on its traditional partner. Historical ties also play a role here: Australia was once a British colony, and King Charles III is still formally the head of state today. Foreign Minister Wong emphasized that they are "long-standing friends and partners." The agreement with London is intended not only to provide operational security but also to exude symbolic strength – and, in case of doubt, represents a Plan B in case the USA redefines its role in the Indo-Pacific.