Australia plans to purchase at least four Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the United States. According to them, the supply of submarines is unlikely in the coming years. They believe that this may happen in the 2030s.
However, the expected announcement will serve as a demonstration of the progress of the trilateral security partnership AUKUS, consisting of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, the channel notes.
In addition, the interlocutors said that Australia would also work with the United Kingdom on the development of a new class of nuclear submarines that could include American components.
U.S. President Joe Biden will host Australian Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and United Kingdom Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak in San Diego on Monday, sources said.
They are expected to discuss the next steps in the partnership.
Earlier, The Guardian newspaper reported that the UK could reveal the details of a nuclear submarine deal for Australia next week.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told ministers that he could be expected to announce a deal under the trilateral AUKUS deal with the United States to sell Australian submarines as early as next week, the paper said.
Several sources told the publication that they believe the UK has been successful in offering the British Project Astute submarines to Australians and expects Canberra to prefer them to the US Virginia projects.
In September 2021, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and British Prime Ministers Boris Johnson announced the creation of a new trilateral security partnership – AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, USA). AUKUS’ first major initiative should be the construction of a nuclear submarine for Australia.
Source: Interfax
