Defence Minister Richard Marles is working towards unveiling a holistic submarine solution by March that incorporates the preferred path for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and their delivery, as well as options to avoid a capability gap.

Mr Marles also extended the tenures of the military’s top leaders, stressing the need for continuity to resolve a series of defence procurement headaches as well as confront the most “strategically complex” environment since World War II, headlined by China’s and Russia’s challenges to the international order.