The presidents of the US, UK, and Australia have released new information about their strategy for building a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines of the newest generation.
According to the Aukus pact, the US must initially give Australia at least three nuclear-powered submarines.
The allies will also collaborate to build a new fleet employing state-of-the-art technology, including as reactors built by the UK’s Rolls-Royce.
The agreement aims to reduce China’s sway in the Indo-Pacific area.
US President Joseph Biden emphasized that the boats would not have nuclear weapons and would not put Australia’s resolve to being a nuclear-free country in jeopardy when he spoke with the other leaders in San Diego, California.
Members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be embedded in US and UK submarine facilities starting this year in order to learn the essential skills to operate the submarines, according to the agreement unveiled on Monday.
Prior to Australia purchasing three US Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s – with options to purchase two more -, the US and UK will base a small number of nuclear submarines at a RAN facility in Perth, Western Australia, beginning in 2027.
After that, it is intended to develop and construct the SSN-AUKUS, a brand-new nuclear-powered submarine for the fleets of the UK and Australia.