Australia shifts AUKUS submarine deal to all three vessels being second-hand

Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact has undergone a significant change, shifting from an initial plan of receiving two used and one new Virginia-class submarine to acquiring all three vessels second-hand.

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This would save significant amounts of money and simplify fleet training and maintenance.

Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the revised plan, emphasizing that the decision to procure three used submarines would result in substantial cost savings and streamline fleet training and maintenance operations. These Virginia-class submarines are intended as a stopgap measure to enhance the Royal Australian Navy's capabilities while awaiting the delivery of the first AUKUS-class submarines, expected around 2042.

While some defense analysts have expressed criticism, questioning whether relying on used submarines might compromise Australia's naval power, others argue that the older fleet could prove advantageous. The United States was initially set to sell Australia two "used but refurbished" Block IV Virginia-class submarines, with a third being a newer model directly from the production line. The updated plan simplifies the acquisition by ensuring all three submarines are of the same type.

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I cannot overstate the significance of that, both in terms of the submariners who are operating them, but also the people who are working on them to sustain those submarines.

Marcus Hellyer, head of research at Strategic Analysis Australia, noted that much of the concern about acquiring older vessels is unwarranted. The Block IV submarines began entering service between 2020 and 2026, with the rest of the fleet to be completed by next year. Hellyer explained that these submarines are not obsolete; they are simply boats that will have already been in service. The average lifespan of a Block IV submarine is approximately 33 years.

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There has been a lot of 'hand wringing' about acquiring older vessels.

Under the AUKUS plan, the first submarine is anticipated to arrive in Australia in 2032, with subsequent deliveries occurring at four-year intervals until 2038. The first two vessels will undergo refurbishment before delivery, retaining about 23 years of their operational life. Hellyer clarified that these submarines, estimated to be around 10 years old upon delivery, are far from being "old clunkers" given their 30-35 year lifespan. The Virginia-class submarines, particularly the Block IV models, are designed for diverse missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and strike operations.

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These are the boats the US is currently finishing, so they're not old in a sense of old. They're just old in that they will already have been in service.