Australia will now receive only pre-owned Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States under a revised AUKUS arrangement designed to simplify implementation and reduce costs. The decision was announced following meetings between Australia, the US, and the UK at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, a major international defense forum attended by security officials from around 45 countries.
Under the 2021 AUKUS agreement, Australia is slated to acquire at least three Virginia-class submarines within the next 15 years. While the original plan involved two used boats and one newly built vessel, the latest agreement changes the package to three operational submarines drawn directly from the US Navy fleet.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described the move as a more cost-effective approach, noting that sourcing existing submarines would streamline the acquisition process. The change comes as US shipyards continue to struggle to meet the Navy’s target of producing two Virginia-class submarines annually.
The decision has sparked debate in the United States, where some critics argue that Washington should prioritize replenishing its own submarine force before transferring nuclear-powered vessels abroad. Despite the concerns, the AUKUS submarine initiative remains central to Australia’s defense strategy and is expected to cost up to US$235 billion over the next three decades.
