Australian Media: Australia Will Not Be Able to Purchase Brand New American Nuclear Submarines

Xinhua News Agency, Melbourne, May 31 (Reporter Xu Haijing) - According to Australian media reports on the 31st, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles confirmed that Australia will be unable to purchase brand new U.S. Virginia-class nuclear submarines as per the previous procurement agreement, and will instead adjust to acquiring U.S. active-duty nuclear submarines.

Marles, along with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, issued a joint statement on the 30th during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, announcing adjustments to Australia's purchase of U.S. nuclear submarines. In an interview with Australian media on the 31st in Singapore, Marles reiterated the statement, stating that this adjustment is aimed at "simplifying supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements, and maximizing cost efficiency."

According to the previously established so-called "AUKUS" trilateral security partnership and nuclear submarine cooperation plan, Australia planned to purchase two U.S. active-duty Virginia-class nuclear submarines and one brand new improved Virginia-class nuclear submarine starting in the 2030s.

The Australian Financial Review reported on the 31st that this adjustment will lead to the aging of Australia's submarine fleet but may alleviate manufacturing pressure on the U.S.

In September 2021, the U.S., U.K., and Australia established the so-called "AUKUS" trilateral security partnership and began nuclear submarine cooperation. Australia is a non-nuclear state, and the three countries' promotion of nuclear submarine cooperation, which carries significant nuclear proliferation risks, has raised concerns and worries in the international community about the deepening military alliance among the three countries and its potential to undermine regional security and stability.