With reports that Australia will acquire up to five US-built Virginia class submarines, with locally made follow-on hybrid UK-US-Australian subs, the Albanese government has resolved to make the AUKUS deal work.

Brokered by the conservative side of politics in 2021, the tripartite agreement to develop Australia’s own nuclear propulsion submarine fleet is an audacious move that Anthony Albanese’s government will now own, with all its associated risks. And the operational, strategic, diplomatic, economic and execution risks are legion.