Australia will be unable to purchase brand new American nuclear submarines

According to Australian media reports on the 31st, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles confirmed on that day that Australia would not be able to purchase entirely new U.S. “Virginia”-class nuclear submarines as previously agreed, but would instead shift to U.S. nuclear submarines currently in service.

Marles, U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and UK Defence Secretary John Healey issued a joint statement on the 30th while attending the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, announcing adjustments to Australia’s purchase of U.S. nuclear submarine programs.

On the 31st, Marles, during an interview with Australian media in Singapore, reiterated what was said in the joint statement, saying that the adjustment is intended to “simplify supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements, and maximize cost efficiency.”

Under the so-called “trilateral security partnership” and the nuclear submarine cooperation plan previously formed among the U.S., the UK, and Australia, Australia plans to purchase two existing U.S. “Virginia”-class nuclear submarines and one newly improved upgraded “Virginia”-class nuclear submarine starting from the 2030s in this century.

The Australian Financial Review reported on the 31st that this adjustment would cause Australia’s submarine fleet to age, but may ease manufacturing pressure in the United States.

In September 2021, the three countries—the U.S., the UK, and Australia—established the so-called “trilateral security partnership” and carried out nuclear submarine cooperation. As Australia is a non-nuclear country, the three countries’ push for nuclear submarine cooperation that carries a high risk of nuclear proliferation has raised doubts and concerns in the international community about the three countries deepening their military alliance and undermining regional security and stability. (Xinhua)