Anthony Albanese heralds 'new dawn for Australia's defence policy' ahead of details on AUKUS and nuclear sub deal
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will finally reveal details of Australia's nuclear submarine acquisition after talks with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego.
Max Melzer
Digital Reporter
March 13, 2023 - 4:05PM sky News.com.au
Anthony Albanese has claimed Australia's imminent purchase of nuclear submarines under the AUKUS partnership represents a "new dawn for Australia's defence policy to mark".
The Prime Minister made the remark whilst on a walk with Royal Australian Navy chief Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond around San Diego's harbour ahead of meetings on Monday (local time) with US President Joe Biden and British PM Rishi Sunak.
The talks with Australia's AUKUS partners are expected to mark the conclusion of the long-running submarine saga the government has grappled with since the last election.
While there has been confusion around which submarines the nation will receive and when, it is widely anticipated Mr Albanese will announce the purchase of up to five Virginia class submarines to fill the capability gap while a new design, based on Britain's Astute class boat, is developed.
The Virginia class is regarded as the best in the world, although the subs being sent to Australia are likely to be second-hand.
Mr Albanese is also expected to announce the deal to acquire the AUKUS boats will generate about 20,000 local jobs over the next three decades, reiterating a promise first made by former prime minister Scott Morrison that the new submarines would be built and maintained in Australia.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas all but confirmed this on Friday, saying he had spoken to the Prime Minister on "multiple occasions" about the project.
"We will be building nuclear submarines here in Adelaide and the Commonwealth will be monitoring its commitment in full," he told the ABC.
United States Navy Virginia Class submarine USS Mississippi arrives at Fleet Base West in Rockingham, Western Australia, for a routine port visit. Australia is expected to acquire up to five Virginia class boats through the AUKUS pact. Picture: Navy Imagery Unit - West
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will finally reveal details of Australia's nuclear submarine acquisition after talks with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in San Diego.
Max Melzer
Digital Reporter
March 13, 2023 - 4:05PM sky News.com.au
Anthony Albanese has claimed Australia's imminent purchase of nuclear submarines under the AUKUS partnership represents a "new dawn for Australia's defence policy to mark".
The Prime Minister made the remark whilst on a walk with Royal Australian Navy chief Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond around San Diego's harbour ahead of meetings on Monday (local time) with US President Joe Biden and British PM Rishi Sunak.
The talks with Australia's AUKUS partners are expected to mark the conclusion of the long-running submarine saga the government has grappled with since the last election.
While there has been confusion around which submarines the nation will receive and when, it is widely anticipated Mr Albanese will announce the purchase of up to five Virginia class submarines to fill the capability gap while a new design, based on Britain's Astute class boat, is developed.
The Virginia class is regarded as the best in the world, although the subs being sent to Australia are likely to be second-hand.
Mr Albanese is also expected to announce the deal to acquire the AUKUS boats will generate about 20,000 local jobs over the next three decades, reiterating a promise first made by former prime minister Scott Morrison that the new submarines would be built and maintained in Australia.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas all but confirmed this on Friday, saying he had spoken to the Prime Minister on "multiple occasions" about the project.
"We will be building nuclear submarines here in Adelaide and the Commonwealth will be monitoring its commitment in full," he told the ABC.
United States Navy Virginia Class submarine USS Mississippi arrives at Fleet Base West in Rockingham, Western Australia, for a routine port visit. Australia is expected to acquire up to five Virginia class boats through the AUKUS pact. Picture: Navy Imagery Unit - West
4 yr. ago
