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Australia’s Aukus nuclear submarines go full steam ahead as US Congress approves sale
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised US lawmakers for authorising the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia
- The Aukus deal to develop submarines and other hi-tech weapons is Canberra’s most expensive defence project with a US$244 billion price tag
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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed US Congress for authorising the sale of nuclear submarines to another country for the first time, allowing the Aukus defence partnership of Australia, the US and Britain to go ahead.
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More than two-thirds of the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a defence policy bill on Thursday that included a record US$886 billion in annual military spending and authorised policies such as aid for Ukraine and push back against China in the Indo-Pacific.
“This is an extraordinary achievement,” Albanese said in an interview with radio network 2GB on Friday, adding he had spoken to more than 100 US lawmakers in support of the Aukus provisions.
“To get this legislation passed means that Aukus can go ahead, means that Australia will have access to those Virginia-class submarines which are nuclear propelled and that will be so important for Australia’s national security.”
The Aukus pact to develop nuclear-powered submarines and other high technology weapons is Australia’s most expensive defence project with a US$244 billion price tag over three decades, but relied on US approval to share sensitive technology.
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