Australia to Receive Three Second-Hand US Nuclear Submarines Under Revised AUKUS Deal
By Tanveer Ahmed :
Australia will acquire three second-hand nuclear-powered submarines from the United States under a revised AUKUS defence agreement, marking a significant change to the original plan and reducing costs for Canberra, Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced.
Speaking on Sunday, Marles said all three submarines supplied to Australia under the trilateral security partnership would now be previously operated Virginia-class vessels from the US Navy. The move replaces an earlier arrangement under which Australia was expected to receive a combination of used and newly built submarines.
The AUKUS pact, established between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom in 2021, is regarded as one of the most ambitious defence initiatives in Australia’s modern history. The agreement aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarine capabilities while deepening military and technological cooperation among the three allies.
Marles described the updated arrangement as a practical and cost-effective solution that would help Australia strengthen its naval capabilities while ensuring the programme remains financially sustainable.
A joint statement issued by the three countries said the revised approach would simplify logistics and maintenance requirements while improving efficiency across the programme. Officials argued that using a single type of previously operated submarine would streamline training, supply chains and operational planning.
The decision comes as Australia seeks to modernise its defence forces amid growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region. Nuclear-powered submarines are capable of remaining underwater for extended periods and travelling greater distances than conventional diesel-electric vessels, making them a key asset for long-range maritime operations.
Defence analysts say the shift to acquiring only second-hand submarines could also help Australia receive the vessels more quickly, although questions remain about the long-term availability of Virginia-class submarines within the US fleet and the timeline for their transfer.
The AUKUS partnership has faced scrutiny over its cost and implementation schedule since its launch. However, leaders in Canberra, Washington and London continue to describe the agreement as a cornerstone of regional security cooperation.
Funding commitments for the programme remain substantial. The United Kingdom has pledged £4 billion (around $5.3 billion), while the United States has committed approximately $17.5 billion towards industrial and defence-related investments linked to the initiative. Australia is expected to contribute more than A$30 billion (about $20.7 billion) as it develops the infrastructure, workforce and shipyard capabilities required to operate and maintain a nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
The revised submarine acquisition plan was discussed during high-level meetings involving defence officials from the three countries in Singapore, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing AUKUS despite the programme’s complexity and long-term nature.
Australian officials maintain that the project represents the most significant enhancement of the country’s military capability in more than a century, providing a major boost to its naval deterrence and strategic reach in an increasingly contested region.
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