Mr Marles is en route to the United States after holding talks with his British counterpart Ben Wallace and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Australia is set to unveil its plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the tripartite security agreement between Canberra, London and Washington in March.
The ABC is reporting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could travel to the US to make the announcement in March alongside President Joe Biden and Mr Sunak.
Mr Marles said the acquisition would change the nation's international standing.
"It will dramatically build our capability and with that, it will build our sovereignty," he said after the Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers met in London.
"But the significance of Britain and America working together to help us have that technology is one which in international terms is also highly significant."
Beijing has ramped up its criticism of the AUKUS alliance and US posturing in the Indo-Pacific.
The Philippines will grant the US access to four more military bases under a new deal.
China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning accused the two countries of escalating tensions in the region and threatening peace.
She also attacked Australia's planned acquisition of submarines.
"The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a chessboard for major-country rivalry. China is committed to upholding regional peace and stability," she said.
"We oppose anything that undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. We think it's important to guard against the risk of nuclear proliferation and avoid stoking an arms race in the Asia-Pacific."
Mr Wallace said the AUKUS nations could potentially work on the design, development and construction on the submarines together.
But he noted the pathway forward, including how the build would occur, remained the decision of Australia's cabinet.
"It's a joint endeavour. Whether that is the sharing of technology and the understanding of how to do it, the sharing of the build, or the sharing of the design," he said after the ministers' meeting.
"So, whatever option is chosen by Australia, it will be collaborative."
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