Politics · Singapore Bureau
Australia on track to receive first nuclear submarine by early 2030s
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles has reaffirmed the country's timeline for acquiring its initial nuclear-powered submarine under the AUKUS security partnership, saying deliveries remain scheduled for the early part of the next decade.
LSN Singapore ·
Australia is maintaining its acquisition schedule for nuclear-powered submarines sourced from the United States as part of the trilateral AUKUS defence pact, Defence Minister Richard Marles said during regional security discussions in the Philippines on Wednesday.
Marles' comments underscored Canberra's commitment to the submarine programme despite ongoing domestic debate over the substantial defence investment. The first of the planned vessels is expected to arrive in the early 2030s, marking a significant milestone in Australia's naval modernisation and regional security posture.
The AUKUS partnership, which brings together Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, represents a strategic response to shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The nuclear submarine acquisition is a centrepiece of the arrangement, intended to enhance Australia's operational capabilities and deterrence capacity in one of the world's most strategically significant regions.
The Defence Minister's statement came as regional governments continue assessing the implications of major power competition in Asia, with Australia positioning itself as a key security partner for allied nations seeking stability in contested waters.