US in talks to build nuclear-powered submarines for Australia, media report says
- The aim is to provide Australia with an initial fleet by the mid-2030s, the article says, citing Western officials
- The leaders of the Aukus alliance, meanwhile, say they have made ‘significant progress’ towards Australia acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine
The Biden administration is in discussions with Australia to build the first few nuclear-powered submarines for the island nation in the US, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing Western officials.
Australia has been boosting its defence spending over the past few years as China steps up its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The idea is to provide Australia with an initial nuclear-powered fleet, which can spend longer time underwater, by the mid-2030s, the Journal reported.
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US, UK, Australia announce ‘historic’ military partnership in Pacific
Separately on Friday, the leaders of the US, UK and Australia said in a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the Aukus security pact that they have made “significant progress” towards Australia acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to Australia acquiring this capability at the earliest possible date,” the statement said.
Aukus is seen as an effort by the Western allies to push back against China’s growing power and influence, particularly its military build-up, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea.
The heart of the Aukus agreement is a plan to provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.