![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/australia_submarine-500x192.jpg)
Australia
Country Spotlight
Australia is a party to all major nonproliferation treaties and export control regimes. After developing a chemical warfare capability during World War II and collaborating with the UK on nuclear weapons testing, Australia no longer maintains offensive WMD programs. In 2021, Australia announced a deal to purchase American nuclear-powered submarines.
See Australia's performance in:
Region East Asia and the Pacific
33% World’s uranium resources
1985 Australia Group founded
12 British nuclear weapons tests hosted
Nuclear
- Has never possessed or developed nuclear weapons
- Has largest known quantity of uranium resources in the world
- Party to the Treaty of Rarotonga, which established a nuclear weapons-free zone in the South Pacific
- Set to acquire conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines via the AUKUS deal with the UK and U.S.
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/australia_submarine-500x192.jpg)
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/nuclear-gravity-bombs-500x336.jpg)
Tutorial on Nuclear 101
Biological
- Has never possessed a biological warfare capacity
- Conducts research on biological materials and biosecurity
- Ratified the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BTWC) in 1977
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/biosuits-500x332.jpg)
Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation
Australia Overview
Missile
- Will develop and test hypersonic cruise missiles under agreement with the U.S.
- Is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and was involved in drafting the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)
- Deploys AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles on its F/A-18A/B aircraft
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Weapon_-_AGM-86B_air-launched_cruise_missile_-_U.S._PRp8JL9-500x281.jpg)
Tutorial on Missiles and Other WMD Delivery Systems
Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases
Chemical
- Destroyed its chemical weapons stockpiles after World War II
- Chairs the Australia Group, which enhances cooperation on controlling the spread of materials related to chemical weapons development
- Ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1994
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/chemical_teaser_G9N4PjI-e1633376001637-500x332.jpg)
Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tutorials-500x333.jpg)
NTI Tutorials
Treaties and Regimes Memberships
- NTI
- CNS
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-e1719601765496.png)
Diverse Voices in Global Biosecurity: Dr. Andrew Hebbeler on the importance of leading with humility
NTI is committed to highlighting and supporting LGBTQ+ voices in national security during Pride Month and beyond. Sarah Stern, NTI’s Global Biological Policy and Programs intern, had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Andrew Hebbeler, the inaugural Director of Biosecurity at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and former Senior Director of Global Biological Policy and Programs at NTI, about the importance of diversity in biosecurity work and how he views his personal leadership style.
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AdobeStock_334240600-1000x667.jpeg)
Past Event
Bio Funders Compact Launch Event
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
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17:30-19:30 GMT +10
![3D illustration missile](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/missile02-1000x617.png)
The CNS Iran Missile and SLV Launch Database
![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Education-Center-scaled-e1633104771359.jpeg)
Education Center