Australia Should Push for US Nuclear Submarines Over UK Ones, Opposition Leader Says

A member of the crew's first watch comes onboard during the commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-Class submarine USS Delaware at the Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, Delaware, on April 2, 2022. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Australia should push to acquire the proven U.S. Virginia class nuclear-powered submarine rather than a pioneer British model, according to opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Dutton, previously the defence minister, made the comments just days before an expected announcement between U.S., UK, and Australian leaders on which submarine model will be acquired by the Australian Defence Force under the landmark AUKUS deal.