The United States, Japan, and South Korea have signed a trilateral agreement to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in partner countries, with an initial focus on the Indo-Pacific. The agreement aims to strengthen energy security, expand clean nuclear technology, and support regional strategic cooperation. The initiative is expected to benefit countries seeking reliable low-carbon energy while reducing dependence on traditional fuel supplies.
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye. According to the US State Department, the agreement advances shared security interests while helping partner countries meet growing energy demands. The three governments said their complementary expertise in civil nuclear technology would strengthen cooperation among their respective industries. The framework also seeks to encourage private investment and improve the commercial deployment of advanced nuclear technology.
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Under the agreement, the three countries will promote fleet deployment models designed to reduce project risks and lower construction costs. The initiative also aims to streamline licensing procedures, strengthen supply chains, and improve economies of scale for future reactor projects. Officials said the coordinated approach would enable American, Japanese, and South Korean companies to offer more competitive nuclear energy solutions while maintaining high standards of safety, security, and nuclear non-proliferation.
The United States also announced more than $10 million in funding for the State Department’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Programme. Meanwhile, GE Vernova, Hitachi, Samsung C&T, and SGE agreed to advance deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor across Europe. Speaking at the signing ceremony, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said SMRs represent the future of safe, efficient, and cost-effective energy generation, particularly as global energy security faces increasing challenges.
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The agreement was signed as leaders gathered for the NATO Summit in Ankara to discuss defence, security, and international cooperation. Although Japan and South Korea are not NATO members, they have regularly participated in alliance summits as Indo-Pacific partners since 2022. Analysts say the latest pact highlights growing cooperation between the three countries on clean energy, technology, and regional security.