Australia to Receive Only Used US Nuclear Submarines Under Revised AUKUS Deal
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- •Australia will receive three used Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the U.S. under a revised AUKUS agreement, replacing a previous plan for a mix of new and used vessels.
- •All three submarines will come from U.S. Navy operational stocks, enhancing simplicity and cost-effectiveness, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
- •The revised deal was announced jointly by Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30, 2026.
- •The AUKUS submarine program is projected to cost up to $235 billion over 30 years, making cost efficiency a key priority.
- •U.S. shipyard production constraints have raised concerns about America’s ability to supply submarines while expanding its own fleet.
Australia will now receive only used nuclear-powered submarines from the United States as part of a revised agreement under the AUKUS security pact, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced on Sunday. The decision, made in coordination with the U.S. and U.K., aims to simplify the submarine acquisition process and improve cost efficiency.
The three Virginia-class submarines will all be sourced from the existing U.S. Navy stock, rather than a mix of new and used vessels as previously planned. Under the original 2021 AUKUS framework, Australia was expected to receive at least three Virginia-class submarines within 15 years, including two used and one new submarine. However, the new arrangement means all three will be in-service vessels taken directly from U.S. Navy operational stocks.
