Australia, Britain and the United States announced that they would transfer nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in 2021. Two years later, an ambitious plan was detailed to support the U.S. effort to counter China’s naval ambitions throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. administration of Donald Trump is reviewing the agreement reached before he came to power and has asked Australia to increase its defence spending.

Why does Australia want nuclear-powered submarines?

Six countries only operate nuclear submarines. These are the U.S.A., UK, Russia China France and India. Australia, an island nation, says that a submarine fleet will be crucial in protecting its coastline and the shipping lanes north of it, which are vital for trade, intelligence gathering, and security.

Canberra would like to see a nuclear-powered submarine flying the Australian flag in the early 2030s. This is to avoid a gap in capability as the Collins diesel-electric fleet retires. It says nuclear-powered submarines have greater stealth and range than conventionally-powered subs.

WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE FOR AUKUS?

AUKUS will span over three decades. It begins with the rotation of four Virginia-class subs commanded by the United States and one British sub hosted at Western Australia’s HMAS Stirling in 2027 to train Australian crew.

The U.S. is selling three Virginia-class subs to Australian Command from 2032. This will be before Australia and Britain develop a new nuclear-powered class of submarine.

In 2025, between 50 and 80 U.S. Navy personnel will arrive at HMAS Stirling, which is currently undergoing a $5 Billion upgrade to prepare for arrival of U.S.-commanded subs.

In order to prepare for Australia's nuclear-powered subs, several hundreds of Australians are undergoing training at the U.S. nuclear Navy training pipeline and nuclear maintenance yard in Pearl Harbor.

The Royal Navy will receive the first AUKUS class submarines - which are built in Britain – in the late 2030s. An Australian-built sub is due to arrive in early 2040.

In 2024, Australia, the United States of America and Britain will remove significant barriers to defence trade between their respective countries.

HOW MUCH IS AUSTRALIA SPENDING UNDER AUKUS?

Canberra's largest-ever defence project is AUKUS. Canberra will invest A$368 Billion ($239.02 Billion) over the next three decades, including billions in investment into British and U.S. manufacturing bases.

Australia will pay the United States $2 Billion of the $3 Billion it has pledged in 2025 to improve U.S. sub shipyards and to speed up production.

What is the U.S. concern?

Pentagon officials said that the United States' ability to boost its submarine production in order to meet its own targets will determine whether Australia is able to buy Virginia-class subs.

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's top adviser on policy, said last year that submarines are a critical, scarce commodity and U.S. industries cannot produce enough to satisfy American demand.

However, the U.S. Navy views this as a highly advantageous move. The U.S. Navy will be closer to its strategic Indian Ocean base than Guam.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

The "Pillar Two", of the pact, commits its members to develop quantum computing, underwater, hypersonic technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber technologies.

(source: Reuters)