Australia May Not Get AUKUS Subs Under Alternative Plan Presented to Congress

Lack of shipbuilding capacity and Australia’s refusal to unquestioningly back the US in regional conflicts are among reasons AUKUS might not happen.

The Virginia-class attack submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) under construction at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in 2012. Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy

The United States may not deliver the three to five nuclear-propelled Virginia-class submarines promised under the AUKUS deal but instead seek to operate up to eight of its vessels out of Australian ports.

Under the alternative plan presented to Congress by the U.S. Congressional Research Service, Australia would instead spend billions of dollars on procuring other American-made defence technology.