Updated

AUKUS confronts ‘inflection point in history’ with $368b subs deal

Andrew Tillett and Matthew Cranston

Updated Mar 14, 2023 – 1.24pm, first published at 7.00am

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San Diego | Australia will spend up to $368 billion over the next three decades to buy a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines, combining with the US and Britain to discourage Chinese military adventurism and preserve regional peace and prosperity.

As China lashed the agreement, US President Joe Biden declared the three countries were putting themselves in the best position to navigate the challenges of today and tomorrow, while standing alongside Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a navy base in San Diego.

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

Matthew Cranston was The Australian Financial Review’s United States correspondent.