Australia is at risk of never acquiring submarines it was promised under the AUKUS agreement after the US navy confirmed a fresh blow to the security deal, Malcolm Turnbull says. Under the Biden administration’s proposed budget, just one Virginia-class submarine would be ordered in 2025, down from the expected two.Continue Reading
The US has passed legislation allowing Australia to purchase three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines as part of the landmark AUKUS deal. The House of Representatives and Senate overwhelmingly passed a key defence spending Bill on Thursday after Republican moderates pushed past a revolt by hard-line members of their party. The BillContinue Reading
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has rejected cost and transparency concerns around the federal government’s AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, arguing the program will be critical to defending Australia’s national security amid increasing military build-up and rising global tensions. In a speech to the National Press Club, Mr Conroy said costsContinue Reading
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received a warm welcome as he met US President Joe Biden at the White House, with both leaders announcing a “new era” of strategic alliance between the two countries. A crowd of about 4000 people attended a flash opening ceremony for Mr Albanese on Wednesday. HeContinue Reading
British defence giant BAE Systems will play a key role in training the workforce for the multibillion-dollar AUKUS nuclear submarine project in Adelaide. BAE Systems Australia this week signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malinauskas Labor government in South Australia to develop thousands of skilled jobs required for majorContinue Reading
Australia will set a pioneering precedent in guarding against atomic weapons build-up for other nations that might seek nuclear-powered submarines, vows Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. In an interview with The Advertiser, Senator Wong revealed her department was working “very closely” with the International Atomic Energy Agency to maintain theContinue Reading
Anthony Albanese has touched down in Japan ahead of meetings with some of the world’s most powerful leaders at the G7 Summit. The Prime Minister was filmed on Friday afternoon disembarking at the airport in Hiroshima (AEST) where he was greeted by local officials before stepping into a silver BMWContinue Reading
Australia’s defence strategy “just doesn’t cut it” amid a rising China, former defence force chief and one of the co-author’s of the wide-ranging Defence Strategic Review has warned. Sir Angus Houston, appearing at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies on Thursday, heavily criticised Beijing’s growing military activity inContinue Reading
China’s nuclear submarine fleet will grow to more than 20 boats by the end of this decade, while its warship force will increase to 200, Australia’s AUKUS chief has warned. Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead gave a grim warning on the pace of China’s proficient military growth, which has created greaterContinue Reading
More than a thousand people are expected to gather on the streets of Wollongong on Saturday to protest plans to establish a local base for the nuclear-powered submarines at the heart of the AUKUS agreement. Port Kembla was named alongside Newcastle and Brisbane as three potential locations for a newContinue Reading