Aukus deal is ‘living a lie’: Australia will never get nuclear submarines from US and both sides know it, Bob Carr says
Summary
Former Australian foreign affairs minister Bob Carr says Australia is unlikely to receive the U.S. nuclear submarines promised under the AUKUS agreement and may instead host U.S.-operated vessels. The Australian government says the deal is proceeding, while delays in U.S. submarine production and the need for presidential approval have raised doubts about delivery.Key Facts
- The AUKUS agreement was signed in 2021 and is intended to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
- Carr says officials in Australia and the United States expect Australia will not receive the planned Virginia-class submarines.
- Carr expects U.S.-operated submarines could instead be stationed at Australian bases.
- Australia has paid more than $3 billion toward U.S. submarine manufacturing and has promised about $4.6 billion in total payments over the agreement’s lifetime.
- The first Virginia-class submarine is scheduled to arrive in Australia in 2032, with another planned every four years before the SSN-AUKUS model is expected in 2042.
- The transfer of U.S. submarines requires approval from the U.S. president and depends on the U.S. military’s domestic needs.
- The Albanese government says AUKUS is proceeding as intended, and Defence Minister Richard Marles has said the agreement is happening.
- A public inquiry led by former Australian officials called the plan highly risky and costly and urged the government to end it.
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