About our AUKUS news
Latest news on AUKUS, the Australia, UK and US submarine pact, covering nuclear-powered submarines, SSN-AUKUS, Pillar II technology and Indo-Pacific defence.
AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, announced in September 2021. It is Australia's largest-ever defence project, with lifetime costs estimated at around 368 billion Australian dollars. The pact is organised into two strands, known as Pillar I and Pillar II, and is closely tied to security in the Indo-Pacific. Defence ministers from all three nations meet regularly to track its progress.
Pillar I supports Australia's acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Under current plans, Australia will buy Virginia-class submarines from the United States in the 2030s before the partners field a new class, SSN-AUKUS, based on a British design. Pillar II pools work on advanced military technology, from undersea drones and hypersonics to quantum systems and electronic warfare. The partnership has faced periodic political scrutiny, including a high-profile United States review, but its members have repeatedly reaffirmed their long-term commitment.
Beyond the strategic headlines, AUKUS is reshaping industry and communities across all three countries. In Britain, submarine construction centres on Barrow-in-Furness, while Rolls-Royce builds nuclear reactors at its Derby site. Australia is expanding facilities such as HMAS Stirling near Perth and the Osborne shipyards in Adelaide, with the programme expected to create tens of thousands of skilled jobs. These investments carry real consequences for workers, apprentices and local economies.
The pact was unveiled by the leaders of the three nations in 2021, immediately straining relations with France after Australia cancelled an earlier submarine contract. It reflects long-standing alliances and a shared response to a rapidly changing region, where concern about China's growing power has intensified. For Australia, the move to nuclear propulsion marks a historic shift away from its ageing Collins-class diesel-electric fleet. The partnership is often described as the most significant defence undertaking between the three since the Cold War.
AUKUS remains the subject of vigorous debate. Critics question its enormous cost, the strain on United States shipyards already struggling to meet their own demands, and what Australia might be expected to do in any future regional conflict. Others raise concerns about sovereignty, nuclear waste and environmental impact, prompting public inquiries and parliamentary scrutiny. Supporters counter that the partnership delivers vital capability, deterrence and economic opportunity.
Our NewsNow feed on AUKUS gathers the most relevant headlines from a wide range of reliable sources, updated continuously. Whether you follow defence policy, the submarine programme or wider Indo-Pacific affairs, this feed offers a comprehensive and up-to-date picture. Stay informed on every development shaping one of the world's most ambitious security partnerships.