Singapore, May 31 (SANA) Australia, the United States and Britain have agreed to revise plans under the AUKUS security pact, with Canberra now set to acquire three used Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. Navy instead of a mix of new and second-hand vessels.
The change was announced in a joint statement by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and British Defense Secretary John Healey following talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.
The ministers said the revised approach would simplify Australia’s submarine acquisition program by easing supply chain, operational and maintenance requirements while improving cost efficiency.
Under the previous plan, Australia was expected to receive two used Virginia-class submarines and one newly built vessel. The updated arrangement would see Canberra acquire three submarines already in service with the U.S. Navy.
The revision comes as U.S. shipyards face mounting pressure to meet production targets for new submarines. The U.S. Navy currently operates 24 Virginia-class submarines, and concerns over industrial capacity have fueled debate in Washington about transferring vessels abroad before domestic requirements are fully met.
Critics of the agreement have questioned whether the United States should provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia while seeking to maintain its own fleet readiness and strategic capabilities.
The AUKUS pact, announced in 2021, is aimed at strengthening security cooperation among Australia, Britain and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. Under the agreement, Australia is expected to acquire at least three nuclear-powered submarines within the next 15 years.
The Australian government estimates the total cost of the program at about $235 billion over three decades.
R.D/ABD
