'Big win' for Australia's bid to gain nuclear submarines as AUKUS partners scrap export restrictions

Barriers around sharing defence technologies have been axed by the AUKUS partners Australia, the United States and Britain in a major boost for the alliance.

The move paves the way for faster approvals of sensitive defence exports and is a major advance for Australia's aim to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

The cutting of red tape is also expected to speed up the development and production of advanced weapons such as undersea drones, hypersonic missiles and quantum technologies by the AUKUS partners.

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The US is Australia's closest military ally, but had restricted sharing of highly sensitive defence technology, which is governed by the US International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

But from next month, 70 per cent of defence exports from the US to Australia previously under ITAR will be licence-free.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says it is a major boost for Australia's security.

"These critical reforms will revolutionise defence trade, innovation and cooperation, enabling collaboration at the speed and scale required to meet our challenging strategic circumstances," he said.

The three nations signed the historic AUKUS agreement last March.

Under pillar one, Australia will spend up to $368 billion by 2055 to build a new fleet of eight nuclear-propelled submarines in Adelaide to enter service in the 2040s.

Pillar two of the deal is about sharing and developing advanced military technology, such as hypersonic missiles, undersea capabilities and artificial intelligence.

It also has a Indo-Pacific focus aimed to deter Chinese assertiveness in the region.