Australia defends AUKUS submarine programme, rejects alternative plans

Defence Minister Richard Marles told the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth that Australia will not pursue a “plan B” for its submarine fleet if the AUKUS partnership falters, warning that abandoning the project would leave the nation without a replacement for its ageing Collins‑class submarines. He stressed that “chopping and changing” would amount to giving up on the long‑range nuclear submarine capability and cited trade with China as insufficient to guarantee security.

Incoming Chief of Defence, Vice‑Admiral Mark Hammond, echoed the stance, urging critics to stop politicising the AUKUS project. He said evidence shows the initiative will succeed, pointing to U.S. production gains that should allow Virginia‑class submarines to be delivered from the late 2020s and the future SSN‑AUKUS fleet in the 2040s. Hammond also linked recent Chinese naval activity in the Tasman Sea to heightened defence spending and noted the political risk but affirmed continued commitment from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.