HMS Ambush, one of the UK’s Astute-class submarines (Image: Wikicommons)
Concerns over the enormous costs involved in the construction of nuclear submarines may derail the trilateral AUKUS deal between the UK, the USA and Australia, former head of the Royal Navy Lord West of Spithead has warned.
The agreement, signed in September 2021, is a partnership aimed at ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region, consisting of two major aspects, or “pillars”.
The first will see the US and UK share technology with Australia in order to develop a new class of nuclear-powered submarines, the SNN-AUKUS, while the second pillar will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.
However, speaking earlier this month, Hugh White, an emeritus professor of strategic studies at the Australian National University, voiced his doubts about the long-term viability of AUKUS, citing estimated costs of up to £286 billion between now and the 2050s.
Prof White told ABC RN’s Global Roaming: …