Analysis

Will a joint AUKUS submarine float our boats?

A design with common elements across the US, UK and Australian navies has merit but much remains unknown.

Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondent

Feb 9, 2023 – 6.13pm

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Defence Minister Richard Marles’ repeated comments in recent days that Australia’s quest for nuclear-powered submarines will be a genuinely trilateral solution hints at the answer to the juiciest question of the AUKUS equation : just what kind of boat will Australia get?

Britain’s Astute class was ruled out pretty early. Well-documented production pressures in the US dashed hopes of plucking a new Virginia class submarine off the factory line.

Andrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery.