Australia to Buy Only 2nd-Hand Virginia-Class Submarines Under AUKUS
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the trilateral agreement was 'incredibly complicated' and any move to simplify it would be beneficial.
TL;DR
- Australia will purchase only second-hand nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS plan.
- This change simplifies the initial stopgap phase of the AUKUS plan.
- The government will acquire three U.S. Virginia-class submarines already in service.
- Defence Minister Richard Marles stated the move will save money and avoid complexity.
- Simplifying the "incredibly complicated" trilateral agreement was highlighted as beneficial.