SYDNEY: Australia’s prime minister said on Wednesday that he will soon meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington, where a massive nuclear-powered submarine deal is expected to be announced.
Australia is expected to reveal plans for eight nuclear-powered submarines after 18 months of deliberation, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the country’s “single biggest leap” in defence capability in its history. Albanese has stated that he will meet with Vice President Joe Biden in the United States. They will make more announcements about the arrangements that will be made soon.
Australia to obtain sensitive nuclear propulsion technologies
For the past year and a half, detailed behind-the-scenes negotiations have taken place between Washington, Canberra, and London for Australia to obtain sensitive nuclear propulsion technologies. Australia has stated that it will not acquire nuclear weapons. It is the first time that US-derived nuclear submarine technologies have been exported since the 1960s when the US assisted Britain in designing its own subs.
The submarine contract is worth tens of billions of dollars, but experts say its importance extends beyond the jobs and investments promised. Nuclear-powered submarines are hard to detect, can travel long distances, and are expected to be armed with sophisticated cruise missiles. — APP
