Australia to receive only used US nuclear submarines under revised AUKUS deal

Australia will receive three in-service nuclear-powered submarines from the United States under a revised AUKUS agreement, replacing an earlier plan that included a mix of new and used vessels.

According to an AFP report, the change was announced during discussions between defence leaders from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.

The updated arrangement is part of efforts to simplify Australia's acquisition of Virginia-class submarines under the AUKUS security partnership. The programme is a key component of Australia's long-term defence strategy and is expected to significantly enhance the country's naval capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the report, Australian defence minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the revised plan as a more practical and cost-effective approach to what is already one of the country's most expensive defence projects.

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Streamlining the submarine programme

Under the original agreement, Australia was expected to acquire at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US over the next 15 years, including two used vessels and one newly built submarine.

However, the three AUKUS partners have now agreed that Australia will instead receive three submarines already in service with the US Navy. Officials said the move would simplify training, maintenance and supply chain requirements because all three vessels will be of the same type and configuration.

In a joint statement, Marles, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the revised arrangement would streamline Australia's submarine acquisition process while improving operational efficiency and reducing overall costs.

Cost concerns and production challenges

The AUKUS submarine programme is expected to cost Australia up to $235 billion over the next three decades. Australian officials have been looking for ways to manage costs while ensuring the project remains on schedule, the report said.

The decision also comes as US shipyards face difficulties meeting production targets for new Virginia-class submarines. The US Navy currently operates 24 vessels in the class, but manufacturers have struggled to achieve the goal of producing two new submarines annually.

Debate in the US

The revised agreement may also help address concerns surrounding submarine availability. According to the report, critics in the US have questioned whether Washington should transfer nuclear-powered submarines to Australia while its own navy faces capability and production pressures.

Despite these concerns, the AUKUS countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the programme, viewing it as a central pillar of security cooperation among the three countries and a key element of their long-term strategic planning in the Indo-Pacific.