Australia to buy nuclear subs from U.S.

Australia is expected to announce it will buy up to five U.S. Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines as part of a landmark defence agreement between the U.S. and the UK


VIRGINIA CLASS (U.S.): Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding

Propulsion
General Electric S9G reactor

12 VLS tubes

Four torpedo tubes

Armament: Mk 48 torpedoes and Vertical Launch System (VLS) for Tomahawk cruise missiles. Up to 37 weapons stored

Displacement	7,925 tonnes	Speed	25+ knots (46km/h)
Length		115m		Crew	132


ASTUTE CLASS (UK)
Built by BAE Systems

Propulsion
Rolls-Royce PWR2 reactor

Armament: Six torpedo tubes capable of launching Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Up to 38 weapons stored

Displacement 	7,400 tonnes 	Speed	30 knots (56km/h)
Length 		97m 		Crew	98


POSSIBLE STAGES IN “AUKUS” DEFENCE PACT

2023 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 2040

2023-27: U.S. to increase port visits by subs to Australia

Perth
Adelaide: Subs likely to be assembled

2027: U.S. to set up facility for American attack subs to rotate through Perth

Early 2030s: Australia to buy three Virginia class subs – with option to buy two more – as stop-gap while new vessels are designed

2036: Australia’s existing fleet of six conventionally powered Collins-class submarines, reaches end of service life

Late 2030s: New class of nuclear-powered subs built to UK design, using U.S. technology. Vessels may not be ready until 2040s


Sources: Reuters, Ministry of Defence, Royal Australian Navy, U.S. Navy 
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