Australia wants AUKUS submarines for deterrence, stealth, says PM Albanese

11/4/2025 17:16

Australia is buying nuclear-powered submarines as a deterrent, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday, adding that the AUKUS treaty that has come under scrutiny amid President Donald Trump's trade policy was also in the United States' interests.



The U.S. sale of three nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under AUKUS is facing new doubts as Trump's tariffs take hold, and amid concern in Washington that providing the subs to Canberra may reduce deterrence to China.



The U.S. Navy in September set a deadline of 2027 for its forces to be prepared for a conflict with China.



Reuters reported, citing U.S. defence experts and documents, consternation that Australia's reluctance to even discuss using the attack submarines against China means transferring them out of the U.S. fleet in 2032 could hurt deterrence efforts.



Campaigning for a May 3 election in the northern garrison town of Darwin, Albanese told reporters he was "confident about AUKUS".