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UK’s BAE to build fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia under Aukus pact
- Australia would get at least five of the SNN-Aukus class subs, which will be delivered from the early 2040s, at a cost of billions of dollars
- The subs – a key step in the Aukus security pact – will be quieter and stealthier than Australia’s existing fleet and will not carry nuclear weapons
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Australia said on Thursday the UK’s BAE Systems would build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, a key step in fulfilling the landmark Aukus security pact between Canberra, London and Washington.
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Australia’s Submarine Agency said BAE would produce the state-of-the-art vessels, which will be delivered from the early 2040s.
The agency did not reveal the exact number of submarines that will be built or financial details of the deal, but Australian defence officials have said the country would get at least five of the SNN-Aukus class subs at a cost of billions of dollars.
The first of the vessels are expected to be built in Britain, and later ones at a shipyard in Adelaide, South Australia.
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China warns Aukus against going down ‘dangerous road’ over nuclear-powered submarine pact
China warns Aukus against going down ‘dangerous road’ over nuclear-powered submarine pact
The deal is central to an effort to overhaul Australia’s military, as Aukus members seek to check Chinese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific.
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