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Marcus Hellier, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told the Guardian that the only way Australia will get a nuclear submarine by 2030 is if the US provides one of its own submarines. However, it is not necessary to count on this either, since the Americans cannot even cope with the construction of boats for their own needs on time and within budget. There are no chances to get a new nuclear submarine built during this time.
The latest report of the Pentagon to the US Congress on the implementation of the program for the construction of new nuclear submarines for the US Navy showed that already at the initial stage it became clear that the cost of production and the shortage of spare parts. In this regard, the release of new submarines within the framework of the AUKUS project may shift in terms of almost 10 years — until 2040. Namely, within the framework of this program, the construction of nuclear submarines for Australia was also meant. Now it turns out that the United States is not only unable to meet the needs of Canberra, but is also disrupting the timing of its own submarine fleet renewal.
The representative of the US Department of Defense, Andrew Hastie, while in London, called on the UK to ensure the construction of two submarines for the needs of Australia by 2030. However, according to experts, the United Kingdom is also unlikely to be able to help Washington in this matter, since it is hardly carrying out a program to re-equip its own fleet.
In addition to the fact that there have been serious shifts in the construction of nuclear submarines, their production has become much more expensive. According to the report to the US Congress, the increase in the cost of each submarine will be at least 3 billion. Australian dollars in excess of the Australian military budget.
Hellier thinks.
Australian experts suggest solving the problem by buying conventional (non-nuclear) submarines already in service in other countries.
— the former senator from South Australia, Rex Patrick, commented on the situation, hinting that the Australian government does not have money to finance the program for the purchase of new nuclear submarines.
In turn, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said that the government is considering different ways and options, where, when and for what money it is possible to purchase submarines for the needs of the Royal Navy. And so far there is no optimal way out of this situation.
