Australia's deputy prime minister defended the prime minister's decision to accept an award from the Atlantic Council, citing regional alliances and global fuel-supply pressures.
The allies say the test marks a milestone in AUKUS efforts to advance autonomous naval warfare technology.
London and Washington tested the launch from an unmanned underwater vessel in British waters, an operation hailed by the British government as a breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security.
British official Stephen Lovegrove reportedly urged Washington and Canberra to view the Euro-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific regions jointly within the AUKUS framework, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Foreign ministry official Andrey Belousov says AUKUS submarine cooperation could pave way for nuclear-sharing arrangements in Australia
A senior Russian diplomat said the AUKUS nuclear submarine project poses a serious problem for the international safeguards system, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Former prime minister says the submarine deal would leave Australia exposed to Chinese retaliation while Washington could withdraw from the conflict
Five years after its signing, the security partnership between Canberra, Washington and London enters an operational phase, with the planned arrival of American and British nuclear-powered submarines on rotation.
Britain's Aukus chief said China's opposition to the nuclear submarine pact proves its success, while Australian officials defended immigration levels amid housing pressures.