Australia Seeking Industrial Ramp-Up for Nuclear-Powered Subs

  • Defence Minister calls for ‘seamless’ AUKUS industrial base
  • China diplomat denounces UN nuclear agency over AUKUS pact

The new submarines will replace the Royal Australian Navy's existing Collins submarine fleet. 

Photographer: Yuri RamseyAustralian Defence Force/Getty Images 

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Australia will build up its industrial base and skilled workforce to help construct and maintain a future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, the next step in the security partnership known as AUKUS, which has been fiercely opposed by China.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said he wanted to create a “genuinely seamless defence industrial base” across the US, UK and Australia, in comments to mark the first anniversary of the agreement.