Australia to receive three used US Virginia‑class nuclear submarines under AUKUS amendment

Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom announced a revision to the AUKUS defence partnership at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore. Under the amendment, Australia will acquire three already‑operational Virginia‑class nuclear‑powered submarines from the US, replacing the earlier plan of a mix of two used submarines and one new build. The joint statement, signed by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, US defence minister Pete Hegseth and UK defence minister John Healey, said the change would simplify acquisition, streamline supply‑chain management and maximise cost efficiency.

The original 2021 AUKUS agreement pledged at least three nuclear submarines for Australia within 15 years, with an estimated total programme cost of about $235 billion over 30 years. The US currently operates 24 Virginia‑class boats, while US shipyards are strained by production targets of two new submarines per year. Critics in the United States have questioned the sale, arguing that domestic fleet needs should be satisfied first.

The amendment underscores the strategic importance of the Indo‑Pacific region and reinforces the trilateral defence cooperation among the three nations.