Unpacking AUKUS — Australia’s nuclear submarine deal

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, editor of Defence Connect Liam Garman and news editor Charbel Kadib join host Phil Tarrant to discuss the Commonwealth government’s decision to overhaul the Future Submarines program. The trio begin by unpacking the new trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, dubbed AUKUS, which will involve the local construction of nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy as part of a knowledge sharing arrangement. Tarrant, Garman, and Kadib then explore the potential benefits of nuclear propulsion technology in bolstering undersea warfare capability, and the broader defence plan associated with the AUKUS pact. The team also discusses the local reaction to the AUKUS deal, including the response from former SEA1000 contractor Naval Group. Finally, the trio examines the geostrategic implications of the decision, detailing the international reaction from both Australia’s allies and adversaries. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team