![]() So why does Australia want nuclear-powered submarines, and what is involved in the deal? A US Virginia-class attack submarine in dry dock in Virginia, the US, in 2014 Why nuclear-powered submarines? The submarine agreement is part of what is known as the AUKUS pact - an acronym for Australia, the UK and the US - a security agreement that was announced in 2021 by the three countries and seen as a counterweight to China’s growing military presence in the Asia Pacific.Īcquiring nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact is expected to be Australia’s biggest-ever defence project and the acquisition has been described by the Australian prime minister as “the single biggest leap” in the history of his country’s defence capabilities.īeijing has made no secret of its opposition to AUKUS and said this month that it “firmly objects” to the pact, accusing the three countries of harbouring a “Cold War mentality” that risks greater escalation in the region.Īustralia has stressed that though their new submarines will be nuclear-powered, that does not mean they will be carrying nuclear warheads. Under the deal, Australia will buy three US Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US by the early 2030s and has an option to buy two additional vessels if required. United States President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have unveiled a plan that will see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines, allowing the country to become only the seventh in the world with such military technology.
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