SINGAPORE, May 31, (V7N) – Australia and the United States on Saturday announced plans to streamline the AUKUS submarine agreement, with Australia now set to acquire only in-service Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines instead of a mix of new and used vessels.
The announcement came during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a major international security forum attended by defence officials and experts from around 45 countries.
Under the 2021 AUKUS pact involving Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, Canberra is expected to receive at least three Virginia-class submarines from Washington within the next 15 years.
A joint statement issued by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the revised arrangement.
According to the statement, the new approach will “streamline Australia’s acquisition of Virginia-class submarines,” simplify supply chain management and maintenance requirements, and maximise cost efficiency.
The revised plan will allow Australia to acquire three operational submarines already in service, replacing the earlier arrangement that included a combination of new and in-service vessels.
The US Navy currently operates 24 Virginia-class submarines, but American shipyards have struggled to meet production goals of building two new submarines annually.
The AUKUS submarine programme remains central to Australia’s long-term defence strategy and is projected to cost up to US$235 billion over the next 30 years, according to government estimates.
The agreement has also faced criticism in the United States, where some lawmakers and analysts argue Washington should prioritise strengthening its own naval fleet before transferring nuclear-powered submarines to allies.
