U.S. to send only used subs to Australia in revised defence deal

1 JUNE 2026

Australia will only receive used nuclear-powered submarines from the United States as part of an agreement to “streamline” the 2021 AUKUS deal, with the move branded as a “cost-effective” measure by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.
Under the 2021 AUKUS deal, Australia is expected to receive at least three so-called “Virginia-class” nuclear-powered submarines from the United States within 15 years.
The two nations — together with the third partner in their security pact, Britain — met at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, which brings together top defence officials and experts from about 45 countries.
In a joint statement, the U.S. and the U.K. confirmed the revision to the submarine agreement.