Neither Confirm Nor Deny Policy 669/25/26 – Document (pdf, 1.85 Mb)

Written by Claude Haiku 4.5 from the extracted text on 27 Feb 2026. It can miss or misread redacted and scanned pages. Check the source before relying on it.

This Defence FOI release contains three related documents establishing Australia's policy position on US nuclear-capable asset visits. The materials clarify that while US nuclear-capable platforms—including submarines, B-52 and B-2 bombers—regularly rotate through Australia under the Status of Forces Agreement, Australia respects the US policy of neither confirming nor denying whether these assets carry nuclear weapons. The documents establish that nuclear weapon stationing in Australia is prohibited under the Treaty of Rarotonga (South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, though these agreements do not prevent visits by dual-capable aircraft. The policy guidance was prepared by Defence's United States Alliance and International Force Posture Policy Division and cleared by Deputy Secretary Hugh Jeffrey for use in parliamentary estimates hearings (October 2023). Minimal redaction is evident, limited to contact details marked under FOI exemptions s22 and s47E(d). The release represents standard