Australia to Buy Secondhand U.S. Submarines Under Aukus Pact

Australia will acquire secondhand Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States under the Aukus security pact, rather than a combination of new and used vessels. The announcement has revived debate over the multi-decade agreement valued at $368 billion.

The Greens renewed calls to cancel the deal. The party's defence spokesperson said the submarines would make Australia an interoperable part of the U.S. military and could draw the country into a potential conflict with China.

The spokesperson said Australia's military focus should remain on defending national borders and argued that conventional submarines could meet that need. The party also stated that the greatest strategic risk facing Australia is loss of sovereignty to Washington.

The spokesperson suggested Australia could instead purchase conventionally armed submarines from Japan, South Korea, or Sweden to avoid a capability gap after the retirement of the Collins-class fleet.

Officials stated that purchasing in-service submarines had always been the preferred option because it would reduce acquisition, maintenance, and training costs. The prime minister said the government would not take defence advice from the Greens and would proceed with acquiring the assets it deems necessary.

Officials described the alliance with the United States as important while characterizing the relationship with China as constructive. The defence and foreign affairs ministers are scheduled to discuss the Aukus agreement with British counterparts next week.