AUKUS: Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

(asked on 17th November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made as to whether the trilateral security pact between the UK, US and Australia, known as AUKUS, complies with (1) Article 1 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and (2) Article 2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 30th November 2021
The UK is strongly committed to full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in all its aspects; there is no credible alternative route to nuclear disarmament. The activity set out in AUKUS is not prohibited by the NPT. The NPT does not prohibit the use of nuclear propulsion technology. The proposed submarines use a nuclear reactor uniquely as a power source. Australia does not - and will not - seek nuclear weapons.
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