Australia’s Defence Minister has defended the government’s deal to purchase up to five nuclear-powered submarines for $368 billion. The move comes as Australia’s six diesel-electric submarines reach the end of their service life in 2036. The country plans to convert them over the course of 30 years under the AUKUS trilateral security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. This move has been criticised by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said it would be more time-consuming, expensive, and risky than his government’s project with France. However, Defence Minister Richard Marles has said that the only capable long-range submarine for effective operation is a nuclear-powered one. Furthermore, although he did not name China directly, Marles expressed concern over its growing military buildup, which is not consistent with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. Australia’s access to U.S. submarine technology is not contingent on any commitment to defend Taiwan in a conflict, said Marles.
Australia’s Defence Minister claims that nuclear submarines have better performance than current diesel-electric models.
