Australia to acquire nuclear submarine fleet after forming defense pact with US, UK

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Australia announced plans Wednesday to acquire a nuclear submarine fleet following the formation of a trilateral defense pact with the US and the UK as China becomes increasingly assertive in the Indo-Pacific.

Each of the nations' leaders maintained during a joint press conference announcing the formation of AUKUS that Australia's yet-to-be-created fleet will be powered by nuclear reactors and will be armed with conventional munitions.

“Let me be clear: Australia is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, or establish a civil nuclear capability, and we will continue to meet all our nuclear non-proliferation obligations," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said virtually alongside US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.