Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines has crossed another hurdle, after months of negotiations, a broad defence policy package including legislation to enable the AUKUS agreement to be approved by the US House of Representatives.
It authorises the sale of at least three Virginia-class submarines to Australia, relaxes export controls, and allows Australian defence contractors to train in the United States.
It also enables the Australian government to make a payment of $US3 billion ($4.5 billion) to speed up submarine production at American shipyards.
“This is a historic achievement,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said after the legislation passed the House.
“It’s the first time in American history that there has been the authorisation of a sale of a nuclear-powered submarine to another country.”
The Virginia-class boats are scheduled to be transferred from the early 2030s to avoid a capability gap while Australia builds its own nuclear-powered submarines.
It authorises the sale of at least three Virginia-class submarines to Australia, relaxes export controls, and allows Australian defence contractors to train in the United States.
It also enables the Australian government to make a payment of $US3 billion ($4.5 billion) to speed up submarine production at American shipyards.
“This is a historic achievement,” Defence Minister Richard Marles explained after the legislation passed the House.
“It’s the first time in American history that there has been the authorisation of a sale of a nuclear-powered submarine to another country.”
The Virginia-class boats are scheduled to be transferred from the early 2030s to avoid a capability gap while Australia builds its own nuclear-powered submarines.