US-Australia talks on AUKUS changes have been underway for 18 months
Talks between the US and Australia regarding changes to the AUKUS pact have been ongoing for 18 months. Recently, it was announced that Australia will purchase three second-hand Virginia-class submarines instead of two second-hand and one new. This decision is seen as a significant shift in the AUKUS agreement, aimed at simplifying operations and achieving budget savings.
- ▪Australian officials began discussions with the US about changing the AUKUS pact around 18 months ago.
- ▪The recent announcement indicates Australia will buy three second-hand submarines, which are expected to be around six years old.
- ▪Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that while the change will save money, it will not fundamentally alter the overall cost of the AUKUS program.
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| Original publisher | ABC News (Australia) |
| Canonical URL | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-04/defence-aukus-us-changes-18-months-talks/106757056 |
| Publication time | Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:19:20 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-06-03T16:25:11.828Z |
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Defence officials say talks with US on AUKUS changes began 18 months agoBy defence and national security correspondent Tom LowreyTopic:Defence and National SecurityThu 4 Jun 2026 at 2:19amThu 4 Jun 2026 at 2:19amThu 4 Jun 2026 at 2:19amUSS Texas is one of the US Navy's Virginia class submarines. (Supplied: US Department of Defense)In short: Talks on changes to the AUKUS pact began around 18 months ago, according to Australian Submarine Agency officials.The changes announced over the weekend will see Australia buy three second-hand submarines, rather than two second-hand and one new.What's next?Officials told the hearings the submarines Australia buys will be roughly six years old, and have a lifespan of 30-33 years.abc.net.au/news/defence-aukus-us-changes-18-months-talks/106757056Link…
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