Under the$368 billion AUKUS submarine project agreement announced last week US and British nuclear-powered submarines will make increased visits to Australia,allowing local submariners to become more familiar with the technology.
These boats will remain under the control of the British and American governments.
From 2033,Australia is due to obtain the first of its own Virginia-class submarines from the United States. A second Virginia-class should arrive in 2036 and another in 2039.
Loading
In the 2040s,Australia will build a new type of submarine,the SSN AUKUS,based on an updated version of the current British Astute-class submarine and featuring American parts.
Marles said the notion the United States would draw on the Australian submarines in the event of a war over Taiwan was wrong,and denied Australia gave the US any commitment it would join a conflict as part of the deal.
“The answer to that is of course not. Of course not. And nor was one sought. I’ve listened to that conjecture from a number of commentators. It is plain wrong,” he said.